With temperatures that peaked at 56 degrees on track today at the Formula 1 French Grand Prix during FP1 (and 53 degrees during FP2) the drivers and tyres faced a tough two hours of free practice, with Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz setting the fastest time of the day in FP2 on the P Zero Red soft. His team mate Charles Leclerc was quickest in FP1.
"The sessions went quite well today. Our qualifying pace was pretty good, so our focus now will be on our race pace." said Leclerc.
"Tyre management will be key, as the temperatures are so high this weekend. I am confident that we will be all set by the time Sunday comes as we know where we need to improve," added Leclerc.
Red Bull driver, Max Verstappen, was third quickest in FP2 and second quickest in FP1.
"I think FP2 was a little bit more difficult for us than FP1 as we didn't get the balance that we had hoped for. We were also trying different things with the car. " said Verstappen "We'll have a look at it all overnight and of course try to be quicker tomorrow."
"I think the long run is better but the tyres are running really hot so it's difficult to judge where you really are. Overall, this track is tough on tyres, I think we all needed a few more laps to have a more accurate look at the long runs," added Verstappen.
Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were fourth and fifth quickest in FP2, respectively.
"We still have a lot of work to do, we're not spectacular here and I don't know why, so hopefully overnight, we can make a little bit of a step forward as we're further behind than what we anticipated for this weekend," said Hamilton.
Formula E driver, Nyck de Vries, drove the FP1 session for Mercedes in the morning.
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FP2
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Pos Driver Team Laps Gap
1 Sainz Ferrari 1:32.527 141.238 mph
2 Leclerc Ferrari 1:32.628 0.101
3 Verstappen Red Bull 1:33.077 0.550
4 Russell Mercedes 1:33.291 0.764
5 Hamilton Mercedes 1:33.517 0.990
6 Norris McLaren 1:33.607 1.080
7 Gasly AlphaTauri 1:33.906 1.379
8 Magnussen Haas 1:33.928 1.401
9 Ricciardo McLaren 1:33.984 1.457
10 Perez Red Bull 1:34.060 1.533
11 Alonso Alpine 1:34.259 1.732
12 Bottas Alfa Romeo 1:34.264 1.737
13 Vettel Aston Martin 1:34.420 1.893
14 Tsunoda AlphaTauri 1:34.540 2.013
15 Stroll Aston Martin 1:34.595 2.068
16 Albon Williams 1:34.653 2.126
17 Zhou Alfa Romeo 1:34.654 2.127
18 Ocon Alpine 1:34.660 2.133
19 Schumacher Haas 1:35.195 2.668
20 Latifi Williams 1:35.412 2.885
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FP1
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Pos Driver Team Laps Gap
1 Leclerc Ferrari 1:33.930 139.129 mph
2 Verstappen Red Bull 1:34.021 0.091
3 Sainz Ferrari 1:34.268 0.338
4 Russell Mercedes 1:34.881 0.951
5 Gasly AlphaTauri 1:34.979 1.049
6 Perez Red Bull 1:35.174 1.244
7 Norris McLaren 1:35.232 1.302
8 Albon Williams 1:35.414 1.484
9 De Vries Mercedes 1:35.426 1.496
10 Ricciardo McLaren 1:35.660 1.730
11 Zhou Alfa Romeo 1:35.676 1.746
12 Stroll Aston Martin 1:35.810 1.880
13 Ocon Alpine 1:35.828 1.898
14 Vettel Aston Martin 1:35.851 1.921
15 Alonso Alpine 1:35.875 1.945
16 Schumacher Haas 1:36.022 2.092
17 Magnussen Haas 1:36.104 2.174
18 Tsunoda AlphaTauri 1:36.127 2.197
19 Kubica Alfa Romeo 1:36.332 2.402
20 Latifi Williams 1:37.043 3.113