Kimi Antonelli concluded Friday’s practice sessions for the Brazilian Grand Prix by setting the fastest time in Free Practice 2, following a second-place finish in Free Practice 1. The Mercedes driver’s performance at Interlagos comes one week after he secured the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship in Mexico.
During Free Practice 2, Antonelli recorded a lap time of 1:10.763. He finished 0.253 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, who placed second. Max Verstappen of Red Bull secured third position, just 0.006 seconds behind Norris.
George Russell, Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate, finished fourth in FP2, with Oscar Piastri completing the top five for McLaren. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, both driving for Ferrari, were sixth and seventh respectively.
In the earlier Free Practice 1 session, Norris had set the pace with a 1:11.717 lap. Antonelli was 0.082 seconds slower, placing second. Verstappen was third, 0.236 seconds off Norris’s time.
Antonelli’s recent championship victory in Mexico City made him the youngest Formula 1 World Champion in history at 20 years and 68 days old. He secured the 2026 title with a third-place finish at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team also secured the Constructors’ Championship two races prior to the Brazilian Grand Prix. Antonelli’s title marks the first Drivers’ Championship for Mercedes since 2020.
Antonelli expressed satisfaction with the W17 car’s performance on Friday. He noted feeling comfortable during both single-lap runs and longer stints, despite acknowledging areas for further improvement.
“I felt good with the car, both over one lap and during the long runs. There is still some work to do, but overall it feels good,” Antonelli stated.
The Mercedes W17 has demonstrated strong performance in the latter half of the 2026 season, particularly after aerodynamic upgrades introduced at the Japanese Grand Prix. Its strengths include high-speed cornering and effective tyre management.
However, the car has presented occasional instability in low-speed sections, and recent aerodynamic updates have reportedly shifted its balance forward, leading to understeer in certain conditions.
Antonelli anticipates a competitive battle for pole position, identifying McLaren and Red Bull as strong contenders. Norris, Verstappen, and Russell were separated by only 0.020 seconds in FP2, indicating tight margins.
The Autódromo José Carlos Pace, known as Interlagos, is a 4.309-kilometre circuit featuring 15 corners and significant elevation changes. It demands strong braking performance, efficient energy deployment, and aerodynamic stability.
The circuit is situated nearly 800 metres above sea level, which reduces air density, though less significantly than in Mexico City. Interlagos is also known for its unpredictable weather, with sudden rain showers being a common occurrence.
Sections between Turns 3 and 5, and around Turns 8 and 9, have been resurfaced for this year’s event, potentially altering grip levels and tyre behaviour. The track’s abrasive surface often contributes to low grip early in the weekend.
Antonelli stated he enjoys the Interlagos circuit despite its challenges, including low grip. He aims to maximise the car’s potential throughout the weekend.
Mercedes will focus on optimising their preparations for Saturday’s qualifying session. The close competition observed in Friday’s practice suggests that further performance gains will be critical.
