Valtteri Bottas led second practice for Formula 1’s French Grand Prix, while Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton faces an investigation.
Bottas clocked the best time of 1:30.937 in hot and sunny conditions at Circuit Paul Ricard, to finish 0.424s clear of Hamilton.
Hamilton’s best lap was set on Medium tyres – as opposed to the Softs – after he went off on his run on the red-banded rubber.
Hamilton slid wide through Turn 3 and clipped a bollard as he half-spun through Turn 4, but was able to recover the moment without a full spin.
But he re-joined the track approaching Turn 5 just as Max Verstappen was undertaking a lap, and the Dutchman suffered a snap of oversteer as he exited the corner, pitching him wide.
Stewards confirmed that the incident will be investigated later today.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was again the fastest non-Mercedes driver but he still wound up 0.649s behind Bottas, with team-mate Sebastian Vettel fourth.
McLaren put in a strong display as Lando Norris finished fifth, within a second of Bottas, while team-mate Carlos Sainz Jr. collected seventh spot.
Verstappen, after his compromised effort, was sixth, as Pierre Gasly’s subdued form showed little sign of improving as he finished a low-key eighth at his home event.
The duo’s cars were fitted with Honda’s updated Spec 3 power unit, which has been introduced for Paul Ricard this weekend.
Alfa Romeo displayed encouraging pace compared to FP1 as Kimi Raikkonen recovered from an early off to take ninth position, with Antonio Giovinazzi 11th.
Haas’ Kevin Magnussen completed the top 10.
Renault continued to evaluate new chassis and engine updates and finished only 12th and 14th, with Daniel Ricciardo in front of Nico Hulkenberg – who had a spin through Bendor. The pair sandwiched Toro Rosso’s Alexander Albon, still running Honda’s Spec 2 engine.
Daniil Kvyat, Racing Point pair Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll, along with Haas’ Romain Grosjean, finished towards the rear of the midfield pecking order.
Williams again classified firmly at the back of the pack.
George Russell, having sat out FP1 while Nicholas Latifi tested, was 3.6s behind Bottas – and almost seven-tenths behind nearest rival Stroll – with Robert Kubica a further six-tenths adrift.
Saturday’s third practice session will begin at 12:00 local time
