Kimi Antonelli Tops FP2 at São Paulo Grand Prix Ahead of Norris and Verstappen

Newly-crowned Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli set the fastest lap in second practice at the São Paulo Grand Prix on Friday, outpacing McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace. The Mercedes driver’s 1m 10.763s lap, completed just before the halfway point of the session, established a benchmark that none of his rivals could match.

Antonelli’s performance came after he finished second to Norris in the opening practice session, where the McLaren driver posted a 1m 11.717s. The Italian’s time in FP2 was 0.253s quicker than Norris, with Verstappen just 0.006s further back in third. The tight margins at the front of the field highlighted the competitive balance, with Mercedes’ George Russell finishing fourth, only 0.020s behind Verstappen, and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri completing the top five.

Audi’s Hülkenberg Misses Entire Session

Audi’s Nico Hülkenberg was the only driver not to set a time in FP2. The veteran missed the entire session after the team was unable to resolve an electronics issue that forced rookie Freddie Slater to park his car on track during the first practice. A team spokesperson confirmed to Sky Sports F1 that the work required could not be completed in time, leaving Hülkenberg without any running on Friday.

Inclement weather did not materialize as feared, with the track remaining suitable for slick tyres despite light drizzle in the opening minutes. Despite the initially clear conditions, drivers continued to struggle with the heavily cambered Turn 1, with multiple lockups reported throughout the session. Lewis Hamilton, who finished sixth for Ferrari, was one of several drivers to report difficulty getting his tyres into their operating window, stating over the radio, can’t get the tyre temperatures up.

Charles Leclerc, who was substituted for FP1 by Dino Beganovic, faced a near-miss on track. The Ferrari driver was finishing a lap when Haas debutant Rafael Camara, preparing to start one, squeezed him towards the run-off on the start-finish straight. Leclerc finished the session seventh.

Verstappen Ends Session Early

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen ended his session early in the garage due to a steering issue that his team could not quickly resolve. His frustration was also evident during a radio exchange about the car’s clutch performance. After the team stated the engine was “adapting” to his driving style, Verstappen quipped, Er, what’s that supposed to mean? Do I have to talk to the engine myself?

Ferrari endured an unusually muted start to their weekend in Brazil. Following Hamilton’s sixth-place finish, his teammate Charles Leclerc was seventh and reported being impeded on the straight by Haas debutant Rafael Camara, an incident that was under investigation by the stewards at the end of the session.

Mercedes Focuses on Constructors

The rookie was over eighth tenth off the benchmark time.

With the single-lap work done, Mercedes sent both drivers onto soft-tire long runs.

Antonelli, who became F1’s youngest ever world champion last weekend in Mexico, was driving without the baggage of the championship sitting on his shoulders.

Earlier coverage: Lando Norris Leads FP1 in São Paulo as Max Verstappen Struggles with Red Bull

More on this story: Lando Norris Leads FP1 in São Paulo as Max Verstappen Struggles with Red Bull · George Russell Tops Monza Practice Ahead of Italian Grand Prix · George Russell Leads Mercedes One-Two in Spanish GP FP1 at Madring

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