Bahrain GP FP2 rain threat forces teams to accelerate Sepang programmes

The second practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix began with an unusual uncertainty at Sepang: the threat of rain. With the skies becoming increasingly threatening, Formula 1 teams accelerated their programmes in an effort to make the most of every available minute in dry conditions.

Rain threat puts Bahrain GP FP2 programmes under pressure

At the beginning of the session, Pierre Gasly reported that rain could arrive within around ten minutes. Shortly afterwards, however, George Russell received a different update from the Mercedes pit wall.

“From the radar, it looks like the rain is losing intensity,” George Russell was told.

The uncertainty was nevertheless enough to push almost the entire field onto the circuit immediately. With cars repeatedly entering and leaving the pit lane, teams concentrated a significant part of their planned work into the opening minutes of FP2.

The objective was clear: complete as much useful dry running as possible before any potential shower arrived and disrupted the session.