The second free practice session for the British grand prix got underway in gloomy, overcast conditions. Thankfully, the dreaded rain that curtailed the morning’s  running stayed away for the most part.

Drivers took advantage of improved conditions and set about testing new parts, and sorting out a set-up for Sunday’s all important race. Vettel was first out on track followed by teammate Webber – both on intermediate tyres. The two Red Bulls lapped consistently on both the hard and medium compound tyres.

The two Toro Rosso drivers, in the running for the Red Bull seat in 2014, did their level best to impress ‘onlookers’ as they traded fastest laps between the pair of them and spent the better part of the session in the top end of the timing sheets.

Felipe Massa’s miserable run continued as he wiped off the front-wing and broke the front-right suspension of his Ferrari. The rear-end of the Ferrari seemed to get away from the Brazilian as he exited Stowe corner. This makes it three crashes at all of the last three races for the man who says that his future with Ferrari is secure.

Ferrari didn’t show too much of their hand in the long runs but Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen set competitive long run times in the mid to high 1 minute 38 region. The Mercedes duo of Hamilton and Rosberg set a competitive long run pace but soon dropped off to the 1 minute 39s.

The track temperature didn’t reach any great heights with 20 degrees celcius the highest it climbed too. The rest of the weekend is expected to be dry and slightly hotter. Good news for the likes of Ferrari who seemed to struggle with getting the heat into the medium tyre in the cold conditions.

McLaren continued to struggle with Button managing 11th and Perez 14th overall. No doubt they’d prefer the wet stuff this weekend.

Mercedes Nico Rosberg, and qualifying ace of late, set the fastest time overall.