Practice 2 Report - Alonso quickest again in second Spa practice

Fernando Alonso followed up his fastest time in the first session of free practice for the Belgian Grand Prix with best time in the afternoon, during which a dry line emerged for the second half of the session.

There was a red-flag interruption for children attempting to climb the fence at Rivage, and on resumption drivers had time for just the single one-lap option tyre run. Alonso's Ferrari (1:49.032) finished up just over a tenth quicker than Adrian Sutil's Force India. The Ferrari was setting competitive straightline speed times as well as being very quick in sector two, where downforce is needed.

Lewis Hamilton (1:49.248) was third fastest for McLaren, four hundredths quicker than Robert Kubica's Renault, the team running an F-duct for the first time. Felipe Massa was three tenths adrift of the Polish driver with the second Ferrari, and a tenth faster than Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull.

Championship leader Mark Webber had other set-up priorities and did not set a representative time, finishing the session 2.6s from the ultimate pace, down in 18th slot.

With the weekend weather forecast looking like it could play into the hands of wet weather maestro Jenson Button, the reigning world champion finished the opening day seventh quickest (1:49.755) with the second McLaren. Pedro de la Rosa (1:49.081) continued Sauber's impressive improvement in form with eighth fastest time, the cars carrying the crocodile logos of new partner and energy drink brand Mad Croc, for the first time.

Rubens Barrichello (1:50.128) was ninth quickest in the first Williams-Cosworth, eight hundredths up on Kamui Kobayashi with the second Sauber.