Belgian Grand Prix FP2: Kimi Antonelli sets the pace as George Russell struggles
F1 NewsFriday, 17 July 2026 at 18:00
Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes bounced back after a tough FP1 as the 19-year-old went fastest in FP2 ahead of Lando Norris who was second in the McLaren and Max Verstappen in third for Red Bull Racing.
The Formula 1 Championship leader went fastest by a margin posting a 1:45.944 which was two tenths faster than Norris is second and 0.472s clear of Verstappen in third.
Lewis Hamilton was fourth fastest in the Ferrari albeit over seven tenths off the pace while Charles Leclerc was 11th. Isack Hadjar was in fifth in the other Red Bull RB22.
The Frenchman, as we now know, will start the Belgian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after taking new power unit elements in excess to the allowed quota - engine, turbocharger, and exhaust.
Oscar Piastri managed to take part in the session that was Red flagged twice and was sixth fastest almost one second off the pace as his car was being repaired since FP1 due to a hydraulic leak.
Franco Colapinto was seventh fastest for Alpine, two tenths behind Piastri. His teammate Pierre Gasly crashed out towards the end causing the second Red Flag. Verstappen caused the first by throwing gravel on the track.
And while Antonelli showed improvement, that was not the case for George Russell in the sister car who was woefully off the pace - around 1.2s - in eighth.
Again, Arvid Lindblad did well to make the top ten in ninth with teammate Liam Lawson completing the top ten.
Buildup towards FP2
While Mercedes and Ferrari were expected to lead the way in Spa this weekend, Red Bull Racing and Verstappen unexpectedly emerged as the fastest package in the first free practice session.
Hamilton and Leclerc were chasing in the Ferraris as Mercedes seemed to be far off as we still need to find out if they have a genuine issue or they simply didn't turn the wick up yet although both Russell and Antonelli did not seem really happy with their respective W17s.
While rain was expected this weekend, FP1 was a dry session and while there was a drizzle in the hour ahead of FP2, it was no big issue as it soon dried up with Formula 2 qualifying taking place in dry conditions before FP2 kicked off.
Will the rain hit Spa again? Will Verstappen maintain his advantage? What off Mercedes? Maybe FP2 offers some answers...
FP2 Session Highlights
The session started in dry conditions with track temperatures dropping compared to FP1, 34 degrees Celsius as air temperature was 23 degrees. The chance of rain was an insignificant 10%.
As the session started, McLaren mechanics were still working on putting back the MCL40 of Piastri who suffered from a hydraulic issue towards the end of FP1.
All the drivers who ventured out on track were on the yellow-walled Medium tyres.
🟢 GREEN LIGHT IN THE PIT LANE 🟢
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 17, 2026
FP2 is under way 🙌#F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/yI01tGaC9b
Soon Hadjar reported that he had the wrong visor fitted to his helmet. His engineer told him it would changed after finishing that first run.
Hamilton had a moment as he went through the final chicane, running deep as he Ferrari went out of shape.
Carlos Sainz has a surprise coming out of Raidillon in the form of a slow-moving Sergio Perez in his Cadillac. It was "super dangerous" according to the Williams driver.
Antonelli and Mercedes started FP2 with immediate improvement, the Italian posting the fastest lap time with first laps happening.
Antonelli's first flying lap is a fast one 💨
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 17, 2026
He goes P1 with the quickest lap of the day so far
⏱️ 1:46.911s#F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/1p05D5Kz1C
The Red Flag was out after 12 minutes of running and the reason was a big amount of travel on the track at Turn 15.
That was caused by Verstappen running wide at that corner and on his way back to the pits, he complained about his gearbox shifts which he labeled "unacceptable".
Verstappen ran wide at Stavelot but it's not clear if was Max was solely to blame for the gravel on track #F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/Tec7Sh8tKL
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 17, 2026
The session was resumed with around 43 minutes remaining on the clock as Piastri was buckled up in his McLaren ready to head out.
Antonelli, Verstappen, and Hadjar were on the Soft tyres as Piastri joined on Mediums to kick off his session.
Hadjar went fastest, then Verstappen bettered him, after which Antonelli went to the top.
More drivers followed with Softs as times started to get reshuffled on the timing screens.
Lawson, on the other hand, had a moment in Turn 9. He ran wide and dipped two wheels in the gravel.
It's the longest lap on the calendar but we're still getting traffic! #F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/mDI8Adasyx
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 17, 2026
Towards the final 20 minutes of the session, the long runs began with Medium tyres back on the cars that were carrying more fuel.
With less than 15 minutes remaining, the Red Flag was out again as Gasly was driving slowing with no rear wing. He soon stopped out on track with one of his rear wheels hanging off.
Replay showed that he lost control in the Fagnes chicane, hit the barriers and damaged his car badly.
Here's a look at what happened to Pierre 💥#F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/j0bryKITvr
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 17, 2026
The session was resumed with only two minutes on the clock which was enough for the drivers to head out and do some practice starts.
Belgian Grand Prix FP2 Classification
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