The session was thrilling to watch from beginning to end, as the majority of the drivers got a taste of how first spot feels like in the time charts. Alonso was joined by the Williams duo Kazuki Nakajima and Nico Rosberg on top of the standings by the half-hour, while also outpaced by Barrichello, Button and Toyota's Jarno Trulli by the 60-minute mark.
After the first hour of action, Alonso got back on top with a wonderful performance, but bad luck was to strike the Spanish driver in the very following lap. While trying to improve his lap time, Alonso collided with BMW's Nick Heidfeld on the very last corner and both cars had to visit the pit stops for repairs.
Once back on the track, Alonso made the best of his super soft tires and recorded his smashing best time of the day. On the very next lap, things looked even more optimistic for Renault, as the Spaniard managed to top his previous times on both the first and second sectors. Unfortunately for him, Alonso spun at the exit of Turn 17 and had to call it a day.
Fourth overall was Nico Rosberg, while followed by teammate Kazuki Nakajima. Force India – Mercedes made another promising outing on the Valencia track, as the new updates brought to the VJM02 took both Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella inside the Top 10 (6th and 8th respectively).
BMW made a surprise visit to the Top 10 through Robert Kubica (7th place), while German Sebastian Vettel had to settle for 9th place. McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen again managed to top his teammate Lewis Hamilton in the time charts, finishing 10th overall. However, the reigning world champion suffered an early spin and produced some intense damage to his car, forcing him to remain at the pits for the majority of the P2.
While still some 2.6 seconds off the pace, Ferrarian Luca Badoer finished the P2 with 2 penalties – 2200 euros worth – for speeding two times in the pit lane.
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