Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), leader of the Formula 1 World Championship, is the fastest, ahead of two English Mercedes George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, on Friday in the second free practice for the Spanish Grand Prix, the sixth of the year, taking place on the Montmeló circuit, just outside Barcelona.

In his best lap, Leclerc – who was the fastest in the first try – covered 4,675 meters of the Catalan track in one minute, 19 seconds and 670 thousandths, 117 less than Russell and 204 ahead of Hamilton.

They all executed the soft wheel, the same used by Carlos Sainz, who finished fourth in his Ferrario, in a hot training session where the best times of the day were set.

In only fifth place emerged the world champion, Dutchman Max Verstappen, who nailed his best lap with his Red Bull 336 thousandths higher than Leclerc. In sixth place was Spaniard Fernando Alonso (Alpine), while Mexican Sergio Checo Pérez (Red Bull) got only the seventh best time.

‘Checo’, who did not ride in the first session –in which he gave Red Bull to the Estonian Juri Vips- was one of the most ridden in the second, where he repeated the layout of the Catalan circuit 16 times.

The third and final free practice will be held this Saturday from 8 a.m. in Argentina, three hours before qualifying, which will dictate the starting grid for Sunday’s race, scheduled for 66 laps, to complete a journey at 308.5 kilometers.

Source: EFE