Antonelli on top in second Sao Paulo Grand Prix practice

New world champion Kimi Antonelli topped the times for Mercedes ahead of McLaren’s 2025 champion Lando Norris in Friday’s second free practice for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The 20-year-old Italian, who clinched the drivers’ title by finishing third in Mexico last Sunday, found his rhythm immediately at the Interlagos circuit as he clocked one minute and 10.763 seconds to outpace the 26-year-old Briton by 0.253 seconds.

Four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull was third ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, who faces a five-place grid penalty after taking a new engine, with Oscar Piastri fifth in the second upgraded McLaren.

Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was sixth ahead of Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc with Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto eighth ahead of Isack Hadjar in the second Red Bull and Oliver Bearman of Haas.

Antonelli began the session with an early quickest lap in changeable conditions with a gentle drizzle drifting into Interlagos as Hamilton complained that he could not increase his tyre temperatures.

The new champion was clearly revelling in his chance to shine in Brazil, where he has spent time with the family of revered three-time champion Ayrton Senna and was the first driver to go under 1:11 after 30 minutes.

He clocked 1:10.763 to outpace nearest rival Norris, who was fastest in FP1, by two-tenths with Verstappen third ahead of Russell, as the teams completed their low fuel-load runs on soft tyres — and did not improve again.

The two Ferraris of Hamilton and Leclerc were sixth and seventh, both having been reminded of their duty to put the team first by team chief Fred Vasseur following their first lap clash in Mexico last Sunday.

“They need to respect each other,” said Vasseur. “They are two competitors with a fighting spirit, for sure, but they have to respect one another and mainly, and firstly, they must respect the brand, the team, the people working at home and working on the track.”

There was no immediate response from either of the drivers before Friday’s action with Leclerc returning to his car after missing FP1, having returned to Monaco for the birth of his first child.

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