Bottas is fastest in practice session for the Brazilian GP

SAO PAULO: Valtteri Bottas clocked the fastest lap to top the times ahead of his Mercedes teammate and new five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in the second practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The Finn, seeking his first win since the end of last season nearly a year ago, recorded a best time in one minute and 8.846 seconds to outpace the Briton by 0.003 seconds on a sultry and overcast day at Interlagos on Friday.

Sebastian Vettel was third fastest for Ferrari as the Italian team seek to stop Mercedes from claiming a fifth successive constructors title this weekend.

It was the first time Bottas had topped a second practice session since the 2017 Italian Grand Prix and indicated he is in the form to repeat the pole position he claimed for last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix.

Daniel Ricciardo, who will take a five- place grid penalty for today’s race after renewing part of his power unit, was fourth for Red Bull ahead of his teammate Max Verstappen who had been quickest in the morning’s opening session.

The Dutchman, winner of the Mexican Grand Prix two weekends ago, suffered an oil leak which delayed his participation in the second session.

Kimi Raikkonen was sixth in the second Ferrari ahead of Romain Grosjean of Haas, Charles Leclerc of Sauber, Kevin Magnussen in the second Haas and Esteban Ocon of Force India.

Five of the cars in the top ten were powered by Ferrari engines.

The session began eventfully with Nico Hulkenberg losing control of his Renault and crashing heavily on the ascent to the final corner of the fast and perilous track. He was unhurt. — AFP