2014 Belgian Grand Prix Friday - Practice
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And with that, we are going to call it a day here now on AUTOSPORT Live. Thanks for your company and be sure to keep an eye on the website for further news, insight and reaction from the paddock.
EDD STRAW and GARY ANDERSON are already number-crunching their way through today's times from the two sessions in preparation of their regular GP Form Guide feature, so look out for that as well later on.
We will be back tomorrow at 09.45am UK time. See you then.
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Pastor Maldonado has been explaining what caused him to crash this afternoon.
"It looked big, but it wasn't," he reckoned. "I had a huge wheel-spin at the exit of Turn 9 and I touched the Astroturf, then I lost the car.
When asked if it was his fault he said: "It was my first lap with cold tyres, so it was a bit from my side and a bit from the car."
"It looked big, but it wasn't," he reckoned. "I had a huge wheel-spin at the exit of Turn 9 and I touched the Astroturf, then I lost the car.
When asked if it was his fault he said: "It was my first lap with cold tyres, so it was a bit from my side and a bit from the car."
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Kvyat's Toro Rosso team-mate Jean-Eric Vergne says his day was less straightforward, but that he too is happy enough with where things are going... particularly on longer runs.
"This morning we had some Power Unit related issues, which compromised our programme a bit but nevertheless our performance didn't look too bad.
"In the afternoon, while trying different things, we probably didn't go in the right direction but we have a clear picture now on what we have to do for tomorrow.
"On the positive side, we seem competitive on the long runs, which is definitely an encouraging aspect for the rest of the weekend. Overall I'm happy, as we have a good car and we know what steps to take next.”
"This morning we had some Power Unit related issues, which compromised our programme a bit but nevertheless our performance didn't look too bad.
"In the afternoon, while trying different things, we probably didn't go in the right direction but we have a clear picture now on what we have to do for tomorrow.
"On the positive side, we seem competitive on the long runs, which is definitely an encouraging aspect for the rest of the weekend. Overall I'm happy, as we have a good car and we know what steps to take next.”
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Daniil Kvyat is a happy man after finishing with the seventh fastest time in FP2 today, and says things can get better from here.
"I really enjoyed driving this track today and I’m quite happy with the car and how we managed to get through our programme. We improved the car balance between the two sessions and I have to say that I feel confident for tomorrow, where I hope we will continue on this strong trend and improve even further.”
"I really enjoyed driving this track today and I’m quite happy with the car and how we managed to get through our programme. We improved the car balance between the two sessions and I have to say that I feel confident for tomorrow, where I hope we will continue on this strong trend and improve even further.”
Breaking news
Vettel says it is "inevitable" he will have to take a penalty for using an extra engine this season:
Vettel: Engine penalties for Red Bull now 'inevitable'
Vettel: Engine penalties for Red Bull now 'inevitable'
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Topping Friday practice sessions may seem like a cakewalk for Mercedes at the moment, but following today's second session, Nico Rosberg explained the importance of starting the weekend on the right foot.
"It is important. Friday is where we can try everything and nail the set-up of the car.
"Today was quite challenging because we’ve had to take downforce off the car for this track to be faster on the straights, and that means the car slides more and it’s more difficult to find the balance, but all in all I’m pleased with the way it’s gone.
"It’s all a matter of finding the right compromise between qualifying – one lap pace – and race pace."
"It is important. Friday is where we can try everything and nail the set-up of the car.
"Today was quite challenging because we’ve had to take downforce off the car for this track to be faster on the straights, and that means the car slides more and it’s more difficult to find the balance, but all in all I’m pleased with the way it’s gone.
"It’s all a matter of finding the right compromise between qualifying – one lap pace – and race pace."
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Daniel Ricciardo at the Belgian Grand Prix
Vettel's team-mate Daniel Ricciardo is also predicting a tough weekend, warning that Red Bull may find it hard to break away from the mid-field.
"We knew it would be difficult to break away from the middle of the field, as we see Force India and McLaren, [and] a few others are strong. Hopefully tomorrow we find a little bit more speed and obviously get ahead of them, but it was a pretty standard day I think.
"Deep down it's what we expected, hopefully tomorrow we get a bit more of what we hoped.
"It is a unique track. We run really low downforce here, for the type of track it is. We try to compromise a little with straight-line speed, if the track keeps rubbering in and if it grips up over the weekend, we will see what the weather does. I should come a bit more into our hands."
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Sebastian Vettel admits that missing FP2 today will play its part in the rest of his weekend, as will the Renault engine's lack of straight-line speed.
"It didn't help to collect any experience today. Obviously i didn't drive much, except a few laps this morning.
"Other than that, we saw that it is not the best circuit for us. We lacked speed down the straights, they are quite long straights here so we will see what we can do tomorrow.
"I think obviously there are a lot of boxes to be ticked in general, and it is important around here to get your eye in. Every year it is different here, so it is a long lap, there are a lot of high speed corners and important to have a rhythm whereas a slower track is a little bit easier."
"It didn't help to collect any experience today. Obviously i didn't drive much, except a few laps this morning.
"Other than that, we saw that it is not the best circuit for us. We lacked speed down the straights, they are quite long straights here so we will see what we can do tomorrow.
"I think obviously there are a lot of boxes to be ticked in general, and it is important around here to get your eye in. Every year it is different here, so it is a long lap, there are a lot of high speed corners and important to have a rhythm whereas a slower track is a little bit easier."
Marco Mattiacci may still be relatively unknown in Formula 1, but he's been given the responsibility of taking Ferrari, the sport's most iconic team, back to the top.
JONATHAN NOBLE sat down with the Prancing Horse's new boss, in what is Mattiacci's first in-depth interview. Trust us, it's well and truly worth a read.
Leading Ferrari out of the darkness?
Twitter
Lotus has given an update on Maldonado following his shunt in the second session:
"Update on Pastor: he was taken to the medical centre for precautionary checks and he is ok."
"Update on Pastor: he was taken to the medical centre for precautionary checks and he is ok."
Speaking of challenges... Eau Rouge.
It is one of the most iconic corners on the F1 calendar. Yet changes to its profile, plus incredible downforce strides, meant in recent years it became a straightforward flat out blast.
This year is different though, which simulator data hinted would be the case, as JONATHAN NOBLE explains in his recent column:
Eau Rouge will be great again
Hamilton became the latest sports star to take on the ice bucket challenge at Spa-Francorchamps today.
Millions across the globe are literally taking the plunge all in the name of charity and raising money and awareness of ALS.
The 2008 world champion wasn't one to back away from a challenge so took time out from his pre-race weekend preparations to get a soaking.
Hamilton chose to pass on the dubious honour to movie stars Tom Cruise and Will Smith, model Naomi Campbell and singer-songwriter Miguel.
Someone should tell him that he is only supposed to pick three people...
According to Caterham's Twitter account, it was a technical issue that kept Andre Lotterer in the pits for the last 10 minutes of that session. He still managed 24 laps of running, and finished up just 0.043s behind team-mate Marcus Ericsson. Not bad for a guy who's been out of an F1 car for so long.
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Who does Hamilton think, bar his team-mate, will be the biggest threat this weekend?
"I think I saw earlier that the Ferraris looked particularly quick. The Red Bulls looked good on their long runs, so I'm sure they'll be quick as well."
"I think I saw earlier that the Ferraris looked particularly quick. The Red Bulls looked good on their long runs, so I'm sure they'll be quick as well."
AUTOSPORT Live will stay running for the next hour or so to bring you all the practice form reaction from the paddock, while over on Race Centre Live you can follow the rest of Rally Germany's afternoon stages plus GP2 qualifying from Spa.
Breaking news
Our full practice report is now available for you to read, times and lap counts included:
Hamilton tops the times in second practice
As was the case this morning, no surprises out there. The two Mercedes are fastest, from Alonso. Williams is looking strong with Massa fourth and Bottas sixth, while McLaren is in the hunt (for a podium, at least) with Button fifth and Magnussen ninth.
As for Red Bull, no laps for Vettel, and just the eighth fastest time for Ricciardo. Things aren't looking great at this (admittedly early) stage of the weekend.
As for Red Bull, no laps for Vettel, and just the eighth fastest time for Ricciardo. Things aren't looking great at this (admittedly early) stage of the weekend.
Here's how the top 10 stacked up in that session:
1 Hamilton 1m49.189s
2 Rosberg +0.604s
3 Alonso +0.741s
4 Massa +1.138s
5 Button +1.470s
6 Bottas +1.488s
7 Kvyat +1.536s
8 Ricciardo +1.788s
9 Magnussen +1.885s
10 Hulkenberg +1.888s
1 Hamilton 1m49.189s
2 Rosberg +0.604s
3 Alonso +0.741s
4 Massa +1.138s
5 Button +1.470s
6 Bottas +1.488s
7 Kvyat +1.536s
8 Ricciardo +1.788s
9 Magnussen +1.885s
10 Hulkenberg +1.888s
Checkered flag
The chequered flag is out.
Vergne currently on an 11-lap stint on the softs. Seems to be able to consistently hang around the high 55s and low 56s.
Ricciardo is running the vis-paint on the back of his Red Bull once again. The team are clearly looking to assess their aero updates on the right rear of the car at the end of the afternoon run.
Rosberg is told: "Tyre temperatures are dropping, so in traffic you might lose grip."
Chilton makes a small improvement to go 18th fastest with 1m54.040s.
Ten minutes to and the current top 10 is as follows:
1 Hamilton
2 Rosberg
3 Alonso
4 Massa
5 Button
6 Bottas
7 Kvyat
8 Ricciardo
9 Magnussen
10 Hulkenberg
1 Hamilton
2 Rosberg
3 Alonso
4 Massa
5 Button
6 Bottas
7 Kvyat
8 Ricciardo
9 Magnussen
10 Hulkenberg
Lots of sparks coming off the bottom of the cars going through Eau Rouge from Hulkenberg and Chilton - it's not the first time sparks have been flying for the Marussia driver this weekend though.
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"The rear is so poor in the car," Kimi complains over the radio, as he comes into the pits.
Lots of cars on track – everyone except Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Gutierrez, Chilton, Maldonado and Vettel – but it's all circulating, rather than chasing hollywood lap times. Just 16 minutes of the session to go.
The black clouds that threatened to disrupt the afternoon session haven't materialised, and the session should remain dry to the end.
Breaking news
Intrigue surrounds Chilton's return as Marussia remains coy on what 'change of circumstance' got him back in car, as JONATHAN NOBLE explains:
Mystery remains over Chilton return to the Marussia F1 cockpit
Mystery remains over Chilton return to the Marussia F1 cockpit
The top three drivers - Hamilton, Alonso and Rosberg are the same three drivers who ran quickest this morning (albeit in a different order), and are the only three drivers to set fastest times in any FP1 or FP2 session this year.
The two DRS zones are along the pit straight and the Kemmel straight, although Spa is a circuit renowned for Eau Rouge and its wealth of tricky corners.
In terms of running, Lotterer has been the most active driver so far this afternoon with 20 laps. Button has done 19, Magnussen 18. Of the drivers still running in the session Ricciardo and Raikkonen are at the other end of the scale with seven a piece.
A concerned Hamilton radios in: "Just check something. Something weird happened in the gearbox into the last corner. Should I stop?"
He's told that everything is OK and resumes running.
He's told that everything is OK and resumes running.
Not much going in terms of fast laps at the moment. Lewis Hamilton just did a practice start, and it seems long runs are in fashion with a little under half an hour to go.
Over on our sister service Race Centre Live, the afternoon loop of Rally Germany stages is under way - and we'll also be covering the GP2 pole battle there later this afternoon.
Ricciardo is back in the pits. It looks as if it could be a tough weekend for Red Bull. At the moment, the best performing Red Bull-backed car is Kvyat, who is seventh fastest.
Hamilton's time of 1m49.189s is almost 0.2s faster than Vettel's quickest FP2 time last year (1m49.331s).
At the back of the field, the intra-team battle at Caterham is intense. Ericsson is currently the quicker of the two, 0.043s faster than debutant Lotterer.
Replays show Ricciardo was extremely loose coming out of Turn 9 on that previous lap, so there is room for improvement.
Ricciardo having a run on the soft tyres. He's done a PB in the second and third sectors, but only goes eighth fastest.
By: Dan Cross, Andrew van Leeuwen, AUTOSPORT staff, Matt Beer, Pablo Elizalde
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