PRACTICE 2: Chambers sets the pace in rain-hampered FP2 at Zandvoort

Chloe Chambers topped the times during the second Free Practice session in Zandvoort, leading title rivals Maya Weug and Doriane Pin in a showery running.

The Red Bull Ford driver made the most out of the opening half of the 40-minute session, completing a 1:36.873 to seal the fastest time of the day, a tenth ahead of Weug and a further three tenths quicker than Pin.

As grey skies loomed large over the Dutch circuit, Aurelia Nobels was the first to get a time on the board with a 1:43.429 before steadily improving into the 1:39s.

Home favourite Weug then went over a second quicker than the PUMA driver on a 1:38.728. Her next effort moved her into the 1:37s, only for Pin to come through on a 1:37.544 to go over a tenth up on the Ferrari driver.

Spots of rain began to appear as the drivers rushed to set a lap in the dry conditions. Chambers was next to take over the P1 spot on a 1:37.342, but was eclipsed by Pin, who completed a 1:37.291.

Chambers then lowered the benchmark to a 1:36.983, before posting another personal best with a 1:36.873. The rain began to fall heavily with 25 minutes left on the clock, as both Alba Larsen and Ella Lloyd were forced to take to the escape road at Turn 1.

Bolting on the wet tyres, the drivers took advantage of the rare chance for some wet-weather running. However, the downpour wouldn’t last. Gambling on a slick tyre run as the track began to dry, both Chambers and Aiva Anagnostiadis slid into the gravel at Turn 9 but were able to rejoin.

Despite improvements in Sector 1, the timesheets remained unchanged with Chambers finishing 0.150s ahead of Weug and four tenths clear of Pin.

Practice 1 pacesetter Alisha Palmowski led Larsen inside the top five. Tina Hausmann was sixth ahead of Emma Felbermayr and Lloyd. Wild Card driver Esmee Kosterman was ninth as Nobels rounded out the top 10.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The field will have lots to sleep on before Qualifying gets underway on Saturday morning at 10:25 local time (UTC+2).