WATCH: Ride onboard with Hamilton in Free Practice 2 as he sets the fastest lap in Saudi Arabia
The sun had long set by the time FP2 came around, with the spectacular Jeddah Corniche Circuit illuminated by floodlights. As he had in FP1, Lewis Hamilton set the pace for Mercedes, unusually running quickest on the medium compound tyre.
Second practice was crucial, given it was the only session in which the drivers had a chance to sample the likely conditions they will face in both qualifying and the race. With the track cooling considerably, there was no time to lose, and all 20 drivers headed straight out.
Hamilton’s benchmark was set early on, and he was unable to better it despite switching to the soft compound tyres midway through the session. He wasn’t the only one – traffic became a bugbear of the entire field, with very few drivers getting a clean lap in on the red-marked soft compound tyre.
Ride onboard with the reigning world champion as he demonstrates just how quick this circuit is – and just how close you need to drive near the walls to set a decent lap time.
Next Up
Related Articles
Driver marketWhy has Russell not agreed a Mercedes deal yet?
Amelia Dimoldenberg and F1 launch new original series
The ultimate fan guide to the US Grand Prix in Austin
F1 ExplainsHow marshals act as the ‘first line of safety’ for F1 drivers
Vowles on what 'meant the world to me' after Sainz's Baku podium
It's Race Week5 storylines we're excited about ahead of the US GP