McLaren’s Norris pips Russell in second Barcelona F1 practice

AFP | Barcelona

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Lando Norris edged fellow Briton George Russell by just 0.009s to top second practice yesterday for the Barcelona-Catalunya Formula One Grand Prix.

Reigning world champion Norris, who sat out the opening session, and his team-mate Oscar Piastri sandwiched the Mercedes driver for the top three, with the Australian coming in 0.057s off the top time.

Italian teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli, who leads the championship after five straight triumphs in the other Mercedes, came in fifth, over half a second behind Norris, with Charles Leclerc fourth in his upgraded Ferrari.

Piastri, who came second in the opening practice and triumphed in Barcelona last year, set an early time to beat of 1:15.724, already ahead of the best morning time as McLaren flexed their muscles.

Russell, who was quickest in the opening session on a hot, sunny day in Barcelona, with track temperatures up at 50 degrees centigrade, was soon on his tail, two 10ths of a second behind.

The 28-year-old is competing in his 100th Grand Prix for the Silver Arrows and two strong practice sessions are encouraging after his troubled start to the season.

Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson pulled up in the pit exit lane after losing power because of a suspected gearbox issue, with the virtual safety car deployed.

Several teams used that time to bolt on the softs, including Mercedes, and midway through the session Russell zipped into the lead by 0.289 seconds, with Antonelli half a second behind.