Andrea Kimi Antonelli recorded the fastest time in the second free practice session for the 2026 Formula 1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace. The Mercedes driver posted a lap of 1:10.763, securing the top position on Friday, November 6, 2026. Lando Norris and Max Verstappen completed the top three.
Antonelli, who recently clinched the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship in Mexico City, finished 0.253 seconds ahead of Norris. His championship victory last weekend made him the youngest World Champion in F1 history, achieved with a third-place finish in Mexico.
McLaren’s Lando Norris secured second place with a time of 1:11.016. The team is currently evaluating an upgraded MCL40, which features a new front wing. Norris had previously set the pace in the opening practice session, FP1, with a 1:11.717, narrowly beating Antonelli by 0.082 seconds.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, a four-time Formula 1 Champion, finished third in FP2 with a lap time of 1:11.022, just 0.006 seconds behind Norris. Verstappen reported issues with his car’s clutch and power steering during the session. He concluded his running five minutes before the session ended.
George Russell, Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate, placed fourth with a 1:11.036. Russell is facing a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Grand Prix due to a power unit change.
Charles Leclerc, driving for Ferrari, finished seventh in the session with a 1:11.483. The Monegasque driver was impeded by Rafa Camara in the final corner, an incident that will be investigated post-session. Leclerc returned to his car for FP2 after Dino Beganovic drove it in FP1.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend, Round 20 of the 2026 season, saw six teams field rookie drivers in FP1. This is in accordance with 2026 regulations, which mandate that full-time drivers must yield their cars for two practice sessions to a rookie who has started no more than two Grands Prix.
Brazilian driver Rafa Camara made his full Formula 1 race debut for Haas at his home Grand Prix, replacing Esteban Ocon for the entire weekend. Camara, a Ferrari Driver Academy member and current Formula 2 standings leader, is contracted to join Haas full-time in 2027.
Haas confirmed Ocon’s departure from the team for the remainder of the 2026 season following a reported confrontation during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend. Ryo Hirakawa had replaced Ocon in Mexico, scoring a point, but was unavailable for Brazil due to World Endurance Championship commitments.
Dino Beganovic, a Ferrari Development and Reserve Driver for 2027, replaced Leclerc in FP1. Gabriel Bortoleto, driving for Audi, finished eighth in FP2. Other rookies in FP1 included Leonardo Fornaroli for McLaren, Luke Browning for Williams, Freddie Slater for Audi, Gabriele Mini for Alpine, and Colton Herta for Cadillac.
The Autódromo José Carlos Pace, known for its elevation changes and technical sections, presented challenges including heavy braking zones, particularly at Turn 1. Drivers reported issues with brake lock-ups in both practice sessions. Dark clouds and light rain spots were present during FP2, with heavier rain forecast for Saturday and Sunday.
The complete top 10 for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix FP2 session was: 1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 1:10.763, 2. Lando Norris (McLaren) 1:11.016, 3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:11.022, 4. George Russell (Mercedes) 1:11.036, 5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 1:11.084, 6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 1:11.213, 7. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1:11.483, 8. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) 1:11.780, 9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) 1:11.839, 10. Oliver Bearman (Haas) 1:11.991.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend continues with Free Practice 3 scheduled for Saturday, November 7, at 11:30 local time, followed by Qualifying at 15:00. The 71-lap Grand Prix race will commence on Sunday, November 8, at 14:00 local time.
