02/11/2013
NEWS STORY
Ahead of today's sole free practice session the air temperature is 37 degrees C, while the track temperature is 48 degrees.
Tyres options this weekend are the same as used last week in India, medium (prime) and soft (option).
Thus far there is approximately 1.5 seconds between the two compounds: enough of a difference to make strategy a key consideration. Another factor is the difference in temperatures between the early sessions, such as FP1 and this session, compared to the later sessions when the sun drops and temperatures cool. Indeed, the stark change in temperatures between session is a major issue in terms of set-up.
There are two DRS zones, the first on the straight that links T7 and T8 and the second between T10 and T11.
Sebastian Vettel led a Red Bull 1-2 in FP2 while the morning's pace-setter, Romain Grosjean, lost track time first due to a brake issue and subsequently a vibration. That said, Lotus is looking strong here and barring anything untoward - such as Kimi Raikkonen going on strike - should be well placed to challenge for second in the Constructors' Championship.
Despite complaints over handling, McLaren is also looking strong, not so Ferrari which is clearly struggling for grip here.
McLaren clearly fancies its chances here, not of a win, but a decent points haul and possibly even a podium.
The traction demands here should suit Sauber but with Nico Hulkenberg feeling a little under the weather we have yet to see the best of the ever-improving Swiss team this weekend.
Whilst Roy 'the boy' Brindley tipped Pastor Maldonado tipped Pastor Maldonado to score a point here based on the evidence thus far this weekend we don't see it. Like Toro Rosso, the Grove outfit is well off the pace.
The lights go green and the Lotus duo lead the way followed by Chilton, Gutierrez, Bianchi, Ricciardo, Vergne and Maldonado. Vettel is another early riser - albeit being 14.00 (local time).
Within the first few minutes all but the Force Indias and Caterhams have made an appearance.
Once he does take to the track, Pic misses the apex at T6 and take a bumpy ride over the kerbs. Asked about track conditions compared to yesterday, Perez says it is "much hotter".
Pic posts the first time of the day, crossing the line at 1:52.337. The Frenchman subsequently improves to 50.512 but his teammate Van der Garde leapfrogs him with a 47.898.
Fourteen minutes in and Raikkonen posts the first serious time, the Iceman stopping the clock at 45.026. Sutil goes sixth (49.633) and di Resta seventh.
More and more drivers take to the track including Vettel who goes quickest in S1. As di Resta improves to second (45.628), Vettel goes quickest in S2. The German maintains the pace in S3 crossing the line at 44.117 to go quickest.
As Chilton destroys a bollard on the apex of T1 it's worth noting that the stewards have warned the drivers not to use the run offs at the final corner (T21) in order to gain an advantage.
"The car is undriveable," complains Sutil, "it is oversteering all over the place."
Raikkonen posts 43.949 to go quickest, while teammate Grosjean goes third (44.476).
The Mercedes duo, along with Button and Hulkenberg, get to work, as Bottas goes fourth ahead of Vergne, Maldonado and di Resta.
Despite going quickest in S2, Maldonado loses time in the notorious S3, running wide in T20, and consequently fails to improve. Mistakes also for Grosjean and Hamilton.
Gutierrez goes quickest in S2 and subsequently improves to 8th, only to be demoted when Hamilton goes second with a 43.872. moment later, Hulkenberg goes seventh with a 44.765, the German also very strong in S2.
Almost on the half-hour, Webber makes it a Red Bull 1-2 with a 43.823, just 0.028s off his teammate's pace. Indeed, the top five - the Bulls, Hamilton, Rosberg and Raikkonen - are covered by 0.154s.
As Button improves from 9th to 6th with a 44.254, Alonso can only manage 14th (45.230) with teammate Massa down in 21st (48.455).
"The car is so bad," complains Sutil (again), "I've got everything, oversteer, understeer, everything". The German is currently 15th.
No such problems, on the face of it, for countryman Rosberg, who goes quickest with a 43.784. That said, Vettel maintains the status quo with a 43.541.
As Maldonado runs wide in T1, Vergne and Hulkenberg both complain about their cars.
Mercedes continues to be strong in S3, Rosberg going quickest to take the top spot back from his Red Bull rival.
As Webber goes second (43.519), a big, big slide for Raikkonen in T18.Unusual to see drivers encounter problems there.
With 17:30 on the clock and still no sign of the option rubber, Vettel goes quickest in S1. Stuck in traffic he loses time in the next two sectors and opts to pit.
Bianchi spins and clouts the barrier at T2 after touching the kerb exiting T1, the Marussia driver left stranded on the grass. His session over, the left-rear corner of the car visibly damaged, the subsequent yellow flag is not good news for his rivals.
Though he has completed 8 laps, Perez has yet to post a time.
Before the final runs, with softs, it's: Rosberg, Webber, Vettel, Hamilton, Raikkonen, Grosjean, Button, Bottas, Sutil and Hulkenberg. Alonso is 12th and Massa 16th.
With 10:12 on the clock, Button leaves the pits sporting a set of softs, the Sauber duo follow.
As one would expect, Button goes quickest in S1 but not by as much as one might expect. He maintains the pace in S2, finally crossing the line at 41.956 having improved from 44.254. Most of the improvement came in S2.
"Do I get two or three timed laps on the options," asks Vettel. "One, two, three," replies 'Rocky'.
Hamilton goes quickest (41.580) whilst Rosberg can only manage 42.039.
Lots of PBs but only Vettel goes purple, the German ding the business in S1. He's quickest again in S2, finally crossing the line at 41.351.
All eyes on Hulkenberg who goes quickest in S2. The German loses time in S3 and consequently can only manage 7th (42.055).
As the cameras pick up on Alonso laying rubber in his grid slot, Rosberg improves to third with a 41.721. Elsewhere, Hamilton runs wide in T21.
A late charge sees Webber go quickest in S1, as Raikkonen fails to improve on 9th. The Australian posts a PB in S2, finally crossing the line at 41.571 to go second, his teammate having improved on his previous best by 0.002s.
The session ends with Vettel quickest, ahead of Webber, Hamilton, Rosberg, Grosjean, Button, Hulkenberg, Gutierrez, Raikkonen and Vergne.
Alonso is eleventh, ahead of di Resta, Bottas, Massa, Ricciardo, Maldonado, Sutil, Perez, Van der Garde, Pic, Chilton and Bianchi.