Lewis Hamilton top with skewed lap: United States GP FP2 Results

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton top with skewed lap: United States GP FP2 Results

It might not be a lap to read into.

Matthew Scott

Friday 1 November 2019 22:30

Lewis Hamilton took top spot at the end of Friday practice at the United States Grand Prix, although the Mercedes' single-lap strength may not be all it seems.

Hamilton led Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen on qualifying sim pace, but did so thanks to a helpful tow on his fastest lap.

Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas was eight tenths of a second adrift and was bemused at the deficit to his team-mate.

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Bottas must win to keep his faint championship hopes alive this weekend, but Hamilton will be crowned world champion for the sixth time if he finishes eighth or higher, regardless of what the Finn can do.

After an FP1 session that saw several drivers caught out by the bumps on the Circuit of the Americas, they played a role once again as Romain Grosjean ran wide at Turn 5 and lost his front wing in the barriers.

Sebastian Vettel also had a moment during his race simulations, but avoided serious damage other than scuffed tyres.

United States GP FP2 results

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1:33.232
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1:33.533
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:33.547
4. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 1:33.890
5. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 1:34.045
6. Alexander Albon (Red Bull) 1:34.434
7. Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso) 1:34.509
8. Carlos Sainz (McLaren) 1:34.667
9. Lance Stroll (Racing Point) 1:34.744
10. Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo) 1:34.839
11. Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) 1:34.924
12. Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) 1:34.975
13. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) 1:34.988
14. Lando Norris (McLaren) 1:35.025
15. Sergio Perez (Racing Point) 1:35.109
16. Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo) 1:35.387
17. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) 1:35.442
18. Romain Grosjean (Haas) 1:35.789
19. George Russell (Williams) 1:36.749
20. Robert Kubica (Williams) 1:37.283