Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time during a closely-contested second practice session for Formula 1’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
Following heavy rain in the morning, and a wet opening session, the circuit dried sufficiently for slicks to be used in second practice, despite a smattering of raindrops at the Interlagos circuit.
During qualifying simulations on Soft tyres Vettel vaulted to the front with a time of 1:09.217s to finish just 0.021s clear of Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc.
The Ferrari pair held a slender advantage over their nearest opponents, with Max Verstappen third, 0.134s behind Vettel.
Mercedes took fourth and fifth, with Valtteri Bottas ahead of Lewis Hamilton, though they both finished firmly in the mix.
Hamilton’s first Soft tyre run was compromised by encountering a slow Bottas through Mergulho, while a later attempt was scuppered when he locked up into the Senna S.
Kevin Magnussen was a surprise front-runner of an exceptionally close midfield group, as the Haas driver claimed sixth, albeit with just over half a second splitting him from Lando Norris in 18th.
Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo was seventh, Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen eighth, with FP1 pacesetter Alexander Albon down in ninth for Red Bull after an error on his fastest lap.
McLaren's Carlos Sainz Jr. edged outgoing Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg for the final spot inside the top 10.
Toro Rosso endured a troubled session as both Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat, who took 12th and 14th respectively, came to a halt out on track.
Gasly suffered an engine failure with 20 minutes remaining while a suspected loss of power mid-corner caused Kvyat to skate into the barriers at Juncao in the final five minutes, bringing the session to an early halt.
Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi complained of a power loss en route to 13th position, with Racing Point pair Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll split by Haas’ Romain Grosjean.
Norris, who finished at the foot of the midfield, held a gap of a second back to George Russell, as Williams endured another lacklustre showing.
Robert Kubica, having sat out the first session while tester Nicholas Latifi drove the FW42, crashed out on his first push lap.
Kubica lost control of the car exiting the Senna S and suffered a hefty impact with the outside barriers, causing substantial damage, and restricting him from taking any further part in the session.
Final practice will begin on Saturday at 12:00 local time
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