Kimi Antonelli set the pace in Free Practice 2 ahead of the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, posting the fastest lap time on a dry and sunny Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The Mercedes driver clocked a 1:45.944, becoming the first to break the 1:46 barrier during the session. Antonelli’s performance placed him ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen.
The FP2 session, held on July 17, 2026, was marked by two red flags that interrupted running. The first stoppage was caused by gravel on the track, while the second came after Pierre Gasly crashed at Turn 13, resulting in significant rear damage to his Alpine car. Despite these interruptions, teams managed to complete a mix of qualifying simulations and longer race runs.
Alongside Antonelli’s leading time, Lando Norris finished second, just 0.190 seconds behind, with Max Verstappen completing the top three, 0.472 seconds off the pace. Lewis Hamilton was fourth, followed by Isack Hadjar in fifth, who was notably the first driver to run on soft tyres during the session. Oscar Piastri’s track time was delayed by 20 minutes due to a hydraulic leak and subsequent car rebuild, but he still managed to secure sixth place.
George Russell faced challenges during the session, struggling to bring his tyres up to the optimal temperature and finishing 1.2 seconds slower than his teammate Antonelli. Other drivers, including those from Haas, Audi, Williams, and Aston Martin, focused on longer runs and race pace assessments. The session concluded without further improvements after Gasly’s crash triggered the second red flag.
The conditions for FP2 were dry and sunny, following earlier rain showers, providing teams with a clearer picture of their performance levels ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. The session highlighted Antonelli’s strong pace in the Mercedes, while McLaren and Red Bull also showed competitive speed.
This practice session offered valuable insights into the form of several key drivers and teams as they prepared for the challenges of Spa-Francorchamps. The interruptions and technical issues experienced by some drivers underscored the fine margins involved in setting up the cars for both qualifying and race conditions.
Overall, FP2 at the Belgian Grand Prix demonstrated a competitive field with Antonelli leading the way, closely followed by Norris and Verstappen. The session’s results provide a snapshot of the current performance hierarchy without indicating any definitive outcome for the race itself.
