In strong sunshine but with fierce winds blowing throughout the session, Lando Norris set the initial first place benchmark time when the running commenced at 10am local time – the Briton continuing behind the wheel for a second day at McLaren as team-mate Daniel Ricciardo continues to feel unwell.
Norris’s 1m38.593s was soon bettered by Ocon’s 1m36.472s – the Alpine, running its alternative pink livery for Friday’s action, fitted with the C3 medium tyres.
