Kimi Antonelli set the fastest lap of Friday’s second free practice session at the São Paulo Grand Prix, stopping the clock at 1:10.763 to head the timesheets, sport.es reported. Lando Norris was second, 0.253 seconds behind, with Max Verstappen third at 0.259.
George Russell and Oscar Piastri completed the top five, both around three tenths off Antonelli’s pace. Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Gabriel Bortoleto, Isack Hadjar and Oliver Bearman rounded out the top 10 when the session ended.
Mercedes and McLaren Show the Strongest Race Pace
On long-run pace, Mercedes and McLaren looked like the teams to beat in conditions similar to those expected for Saturday’s qualifying session, sport.es reported. Red Bull slotted in as the third-fastest team, while Ferrari struggled a little more, though the field remained tightly grouped overall.
FP2 CLASSIFICATION Antonelli ends Friday on top 🥇#F1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/bD3pf9KbfX
Leclerc’s Brush With the Wall on the Main Straight
Charles Leclerc provided the session’s scare when television cameras showed him running wide behind the main straight and passing very close to the barrier, sport.es reported. The Monegasque escaped without damage and remained in the top 10 at the flag.
Alonso 15th and Sainz 17th for the Spanish Drivers
Fernando Alonso finished 15th for Aston Martin, 1.7 seconds off the pace, while Carlos Sainz was 17th for Williams at 1.9 seconds back, according to sport.es. Both Spanish drivers ended the day well outside the top 10 as the session closed.
Max, flat out through the final corners 💨💨#F1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/UL0TF3sEoN
Rain Looms Over Sunday, Qualifying Margins Stay Tight
The session ended with maximum equality at the front: Antonelli, Norris, Verstappen and Russell all within two tenths of one another. With a greater chance of rain forecast for Sunday’s race, the pace shown by Mercedes and McLaren in these conditions could prove decisive, sport.es reported.
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