Having set the pace in first practice, Nico Rosberg remained fastest in the second session of the German Grand Prix weekend.
Racing on home soil, Rosberg put in a 1m15.614 with around one hour of FP2 remaining as drivers took to the Hockenheimring on super-soft tyres for short qualifying simulations.
His Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton was second, four tenths behind Rosberg, with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen next up.
Ferrari once again looked to be Mercedes’ nearest rivals, but Vettel’s best time was just under six tenths slower than Rosberg’s attempt.
Daniel Ricciardo was fifth in the session, with Kimi Raikkonen and Nico Hulkenberg just behind him. Jenson Button was eighth, while Sergio Perez set the ninth fastest time despite an early scare at Turn 1.
He ran wide and his Force India was briefly launched into the air on a bump. Fernando Alonso completed the top 10 after what was an encouraging day at the circuit for the McLaren team.
The Toro Rosso duo of Carlos Sainz Jr. and Daniil Kvyat were 11th and 12th, ahead of Valtteri Bottas and Romain Grosjean.
Felipe Massa was next up, ahead of Esteban Gutierrez. The Mexican’s car was taken over by Charles Leclerc in FP1.
Jolyon Palmer returned to the cockpit of his Renault – after the team’s reserve driver Esteban Ocon drove it in FP1 – and was 20th.
Track limits continues to be a hot topic and the three-strike policy used in Hungary was also transferred over to Germany, being extended to include practice as well.
