Saudi Arabian GP: Aston Martin's Alonso tops FP2 session

Aston Martin's Feranndo Alonso was the fastest in Thursday's floodlit second practice for the Saudi Formula One Grand Prix, following the afternoon pace set by Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen.

George Russell finished second for Mercedes, 0.230 seconds slower than Alonso's time of one minute 28.827 seconds, with Verstappen third and 0.331 seconds slower than the Spaniard.

The second session was briefly delayed due to reported loose drain covers, a problem that plagued testing in Bahrain last month and Las Vegas last November. This time, the situation was quickly resolved.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was fourth fastest in practice two, after Mercedes' George Russell had taken that spot earlier in the afternoon.

Carlos Sainz, Leclerc's teammate, took part in both sessions despite feeling ill on Wednesday, but he limited his media duties. The Spaniard was sixth and seventh, respectively.

"The track, it's like Mario Kart. There are plastic bags everywhere," reported Leclerc over the team radio in the afternoon.

Sergio Perez of Red Bull, who won in Jeddah last year, was third and fifth fastest.

Lance Stroll of Aston Martin finished sixth in the evening session, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes eighth, Pierre Gasly of Alpine ninth, and Oscar Piastri of McLaren tenth.

Hamilton was summoned to stewards following the second session for allegedly blocking Williams' Logan Sargeant.

"I didn't realise someone was on a lap. I was trying to get out of the way for Sainz and all of a sudden there was a Williams there," the Briton said over the radio.

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