Kimi Antonelli Leads Lando Norris in Second Practice at Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Posted : 07 November 2026

Newly crowned Formula One world champion Kimi Antonelli delivered an impressive performance on Friday, setting the fastest time in the second practice session for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos.

The Mercedes driver recorded a best lap of 1 minute 10.763 seconds, finishing 0.253 seconds ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris, who had topped the opening practice session. Antonelli's performance continued his strong form following his championship-winning result at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen secured third place, narrowly ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell, who finished fourth. Russell is also facing a five-place grid penalty after taking a new engine. McLaren's Oscar Piastri completed the top five, highlighting the team's competitive pace with its upgraded car.

Ferrari endured a less impressive session, with Lewis Hamilton finishing sixth and Charles Leclerc seventh. Hamilton struggled to bring his tyres up to the required temperature, while Leclerc lost valuable time after encountering Haas rookie Rafael Camara on the main straight. The Monegasque driver had also missed the opening practice session after making way for rookie Dino Beganovic.

The session took place under cloudy skies, with occasional light drizzle threatening to affect track conditions. Antonelli adapted quickly, establishing himself among the frontrunners before producing a decisive lap that took him below the 1 minute 11-second barrier. None of his rivals managed to beat that time before the session ended.

Home favourite Gabriel Bortoleto finished eighth for Audi, ahead of Red Bull's Isack Hadjar, while Haas driver Oliver Bearman completed the top 10. Audi's Nico Hulkenberg, meanwhile, remained in the garage throughout the session as the team investigated technical problems that had affected its car during FP1.

Antonelli's impressive showing came just days after he secured the drivers' championship in Mexico, where his third-place finish confirmed his title triumph. The 20-year-old has now carried that momentum into Brazil and given Mercedes an encouraging start to the weekend.

Away from the track, Ferrari's ongoing internal tensions remained a talking point following Hamilton and Leclerc's first-lap clash in Mexico. Team principal Fred Vasseur had met both drivers to reinforce the importance of mutual respect and putting the team's interests ahead of individual ambitions.

With qualifying and the Grand Prix still to come, Antonelli's pace will provide Mercedes with plenty of encouragement. However, Norris, Verstappen and the rest of the leading contenders remain close enough to challenge as the Sao Paulo weekend progresses.

Kimi Antonelli Leads Lando Norris in Second Practice at Sao Paulo Grand Prix

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