Montreal: Vettel tops Practice 2

Sebastian Vettel was fastest on Friday

The McLarens fell off the pace in Canada on Friday afternoon, despite looking competitive in the initial practice session.

The buzzwords of the final 90-minutes of running for the day were extreme tire degradation and graining, with the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve's newly-resurfaced corners giving up precious little grip.

Many runners had to call off planned long runs on the softer 'option' tires because they lasted no more than a few laps.

"Everyone is struggling with the same thing, so I think it will be a pretty interesting race to see what happens with strategies," said Jenson Button, who was just 11th quickest in the afternoon.

His teammate Lewis Hamilton added: "I think a lot of people had the same experience, except perhaps the Red Bulls, so it's going to be an interesting one."

Indeed, having trailed the Mercedes engines and F-ducts in the morning, Sebastian Vettel set the afternoon's fastest time, with Ferrari's next-best Fernando Alonso also not complaining as loudly as the McLaren drivers.

"Friday's result is not that important, but it's looking not too bad," said Red Bull runner Vettel.

"I think we are quite competitive, so let's see."

Results

Pos

Driver Team Time Behind Laps
1. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:16.877 +0.000 32
2. Alonso Ferrari 1:16.963 +0.086 35
3. Rosberg Mercedes 1:17.151 +0.274 34
4. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:17.273 +0.396 33
5. Massa Ferrari 1:17.401 +0.524 33
6. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:17.415 +0.538 28
7. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:17.522 +0.645 29
8. Kubica Renault 1:17.529 +0.652 36
9. Schumacher Mercedes 1:17.688 +0.811 34
10. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:17.903 +1.026 35
11. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:17.961 +1.084 33
12. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:18.385 +1.508 27
13. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1:18.447 +1.570 41
14. Petrov Renault 1:18.582 +1.705 40
15. de la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari 1:18.658 +1.781 34
16. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:19.142 +2.265 38
17. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:19.168 +2.291 32
18. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:19.274 +2.397 41
19. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1:19.969 +3.092 35
20. Chandhok HRT-Cosworth 1:20.879 +4.002 29
21. Senna HRT-Cosworth 1:21.097 +4.220 31
22. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1:21.346 +4.469 11
23. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:21.488 +4.611 25
24. di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1:21.577 +4.700 30