Brazilian Grand Prix 2026: Antonelli leads FP2 at Interlagos
Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time in second practice ahead of the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix weekend.
Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes topped FP2 at Interlagos on Friday, ahead of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. The session ran in dry conditions, while Nico Hulkenberg did not record a time.
Key takeaways
- Kimi Antonelli set the fastest FP2 lap at 1m10.763s
- Lando Norris was second, 0.253 seconds behind
- Max Verstappen finished third, 0.259 seconds off the pace
- Nico Hulkenberg recorded no time in FP2
- FP3 is scheduled for Saturday, 7 November, at 11:30 local time
763s. 259 seconds. 321 seconds. 720 seconds. 076 seconds. 228 seconds. Nico Hulkenberg of Audi recorded no time. Friday’s running stayed dry despite expectations of a weather-affected weekend, with the track improving as more rubber was laid down.
What we know
Verstappen complained by radio about downshifts in his Red Bull during FP1, saying the shifts were unacceptable.
He pulled into the pits a few minutes before the end of FP2 and did not return for a practice start on the grid, raising concerns about an unannounced car issue.
Earlier in FP1, Audi youngster Freddie Slater’s car stopped after seven laps, causing a red flag of nearly ten minutes while the vehicle was removed.
Slater was standing in for Nico Hulkenberg to help Audi meet its rookie practice quota, and Hulkenberg was unable to take part in FP2.
Why it matters
The Brazilian Grand Prix, currently held under the name São Paulo Grand Prix, is a Formula One championship race at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos. The inaugural event in 1972 was non-championship, with all races from 1973 onwards held as championship events.
The race was previously held at Jacarepaguá from 1978 to 1989 before returning to Interlagos in 1990. In 2012, Jenson Button won the final round for McLaren, marking the team’s last victory until 2021.
In 2008, Felipe Massa won his final Grand Prix at the same circuit.
What happens next
The cars next hit the track for FP3 on Saturday, 7 November, at 11:30 local time and 14:30 GMT.
FP2 classification at the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix
Position | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1m10.763s |
2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.253s |
3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.259s |
4 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.273s |
5 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.321s |
6 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.450s |
7 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.720s |
8 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | +1.017s |
9 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | +1.076s |
10 | Ollie Bearman | Haas | +1.228s |
22 | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | no time |
Related on Apex Sports News
Sources
Topics
- Formula 1 World Championship
- Sao Paulo Grand Prix
- Brazilian Grand Prix
- Red Bull Racing
- Audi
- Haas
- Williams
- Ferrari
- Mercedes
- McLaren
- Racing Bulls
- Alpine
- Aston Martin
- Max Verstappen
- Charles Leclerc
- Kimi Antonelli
- George Russell
- Lewis Hamilton
- Lando Norris
- Liam Lawson
- Oscar Piastri
- Isack Hadjar
- Pierre Gasly
- Fernando Alonso
- Ollie Bearman
- Arvid Lindblad
- Franco Colapinto
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Kimi Antonelli
- Formula 1
- Mercedes
- Interlagos
- Brazilian Grand Prix
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