Kimi Antonelli recorded the fastest time in the second practice session for the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on Friday, July 17, 2026. The Mercedes driver achieved a 1m45.9xxs lap on soft compound tyres, positioning him at the top of the leaderboard.
This performance marked a substantial improvement for Mercedes, following a challenging opening session where the W17 chassis struggled. Antonelli had finished FP1 in sixth place, more than half a second adrift of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull.
Antonelli characterized the shift in performance as a ‘massive turnaround’ for the car. Mercedes has faced an inconsistent 2026 season, with their W17 often proving sensitive to setup changes and exhibiting variable tyre degradation across different circuits.
Despite leading the session, Antonelli maintained a cautious outlook regarding the competitive field. He highlighted the strong pace demonstrated by both Red Bull and McLaren, indicating that further optimisation was necessary.
‘It was a massive turnaround with the car because in FP1, we struggled a lot more than anticipated, so it was a good change. But of course, a lot of work to do because Red Bull is quick, McLaren was up there. So we just need to put things together.’
Lando Norris of McLaren secured the second-fastest time in FP2, mirroring Mercedes’ significant performance gains between the practice sessions. McLaren’s MCL38 has consistently shown strong aerodynamic efficiency throughout the 2026 season, particularly on high-speed tracks.
Red Bull Racing, utilising their RB22, continues to be the dominant force in the 2026 Formula 1 season, leading both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. Max Verstappen remains a formidable competitor, though the gap to rivals has narrowed on specific circuits.
Antonelli, in his debut F1 season, has displayed promising raw speed but also the typical learning curve associated with a rookie. His FP2 showing at Spa-Francorchamps stands as one of his most competitive practice performances to date.
During an early qualifying simulation run in FP2, Antonelli encountered Carlos Sainz, who was reportedly slowing down after exiting a fast corner. Sainz, now competing for Williams in the 2026 season, forced Antonelli to abandon his lap.
Antonelli conveyed his frustration over the incident, describing it as a ‘quite dangerous moment’ given the high-speed nature of the Spa circuit. He was observed gesticulating towards the Williams driver following the aborted attempt.
George Russell, Antonelli’s teammate, did not achieve a comparable improvement in the second practice session. Russell’s best lap was over a second slower than Antonelli’s leading time, a disparity also noted at Silverstone earlier this season.
Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes’ trackside engineering director, attributed Russell’s performance deficit to issues with tyre preparation at the start of his lap and a potential underestimation of grip levels in certain corners.
Shovlin stated that the team was not unduly concerned by the time difference, expressing confidence that Russell would demonstrate competitive pace in the upcoming qualifying and race sessions. Russell has generally led Mercedes’ charge this season.
The Spa-Francorchamps circuit is renowned for its demanding characteristics, including significant elevation changes and the potential for highly variable weather conditions. Key sections like Eau Rouge/Raidillon, Pouhon, and Blanchimont require both power and precise car handling.
Tyre management is a critical strategic element at Spa due to the circuit’s long lap length and diverse corner profiles. Mercedes also reported strong long-run pace during FP2, which is crucial for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
