The second practice session ramped up the spectacle, although Mercedes still comfortably led the way. Hamilton was fastest, with Rosberg dropping to fifth. At one point, a spectator crossed the home straight and hopped over the pitwall, reportedly aiming for a go in one of the cars.

Elsewhere, Felipe Massa lost control of his Williams at high speed, screeching his tyres and spinning off track. He was lucky to only brush against the barriers and avoid too much damage, but the session was still stopped for the car to be recovered. Red Bull also struggled, with Daniil Kvyat suffering a brake failure. Big news for McLaren, as Jenson Button popped up into the top ten for the first time this year.