Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time in the second practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix, recording a 1:45.944s lap at Spa-Francorchamps. The Mercedes driver, who is the current championship leader, finished 0.190 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris.
The session was interrupted twice by red flags. The first occurred when Max Verstappen ran wide at Stavelot, scattering gravel across the track.
Verstappen, who had topped the earlier FP1 session, expressed frustration over his car’s performance, describing his gear shifts as ‘unacceptable’.
Red Bull had previously reverted to a conventional rear wing design for the Belgian Grand Prix. This decision followed two high-speed crashes for Verstappen in Austria and Silverstone due to issues with their ‘Macarena’ rotating rear wing.
Verstappen had labeled the previous rear wing issues as ‘super dangerous’ after the incidents.
The second red flag was deployed with 14 minutes remaining after Pierre Gasly crashed his Alpine at the Fagnes chicane. Gasly lost the rear of his car, clipping a barrier and damaging the rear of the Alpine.
Gasly communicated to his team, ‘Absolutely lost it out of nowhere. I must have lost the rear.’
This incident follows a significant collision earlier in the season for Gasly at the Miami Grand Prix, where his Alpine was involved in contact with Liam Lawson.
Marshals were required to clear debris, including Gasly’s entire rear wing, before the session could resume for its final two minutes.
Lando Norris, who finished second, is set to incur a 10-place grid penalty for the Belgian Grand Prix. This is due to McLaren fitting a new control electronics unit in his MCL40.
Oscar Piastri’s McLaren MCL40 experienced a hydraulics issue late in FP1, which led to him missing the initial phase of FP2 while mechanics worked on the car.
Piastri has confirmed his commitment to McLaren for the 2027 season, addressing recent speculation.
George Russell, Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate, finished eighth in FP2, 1.285 seconds behind. Russell reported issues with cold rear tyres and sliding.
Isack Hadjar will start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid. Red Bull opted for wholesale changes to his power unit.
Antonelli, the championship leader, also received a new power unit for the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. However, he avoids a grid penalty.
Earlier in the week, Alpine and Gasly confirmed plans to commemorate Anthoine Hubert and Dilano van ‘t Hoff at Spa. This annual tribute honors drivers who lost their lives at the circuit.
Gasly also indicated that Formula 1 drivers would discuss the controversial safety car finish of the British Grand Prix with the FIA.
