Driver Lance Stroll redeemed a first free practice session cut short by a brake problem by setting the sixth fastest time in the second session held on Friday ahead of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Qatar.
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Under the reflectors, the Quebecer drove in 1 min 23.705 s, 0.557 slower than Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), who dominated in 1: 23.148. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) were the fastest after the Finn with times of 1: 23.357 and 1: 23.498 respectively. Earlier in the day, Stroll had returned prematurely to the garage of his Aston Martin team after completing only 11 laps. His best was 1: 26.712, penultimate among the contenders.
Verstappen was the best in the opening session with a lap of 1: 23.723, ahead of Gasly (1: 24.160) and Bottas (1: 24.194).
In the drivers’ standings, Verstappen is in the lead with 332.5 points and ahead of Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), who claims 318.5. Qualifying will take place on Saturday and the race the following day, in the evening at local time.