Kimi Antonelli posted the fastest time in the second free practice session for the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos, São Paulo, on Friday, according to RacingNews365. Lando Norris was second and Max Verstappen third, repeating the top-three order from the opening session earlier in the day.
RacingNews365 reports that the gaps behind the leaders shrank compared with the first practice, but the same trio again showed strong control of their cars over the early part of the session. The Dutch outlet describes Antonelli as the clear strongest performer of the afternoon.
Why it matters
The session took place in worsening weather. According to RacingNews365, light drizzle fell throughout and grew steadier as the hour went on, while mist increasingly limited visibility near the end. Despite that, the track stayed busy.
Because conditions were changing, teams shifted their attention to long runs rather than chasing quick laps. RacingNews365 notes that no driver improved their time during that phase. Verstappen's long runs looked strong, though the outlet adds that his rivals' runs were not disappointing either.
Antonelli's margin, and a tight gap behind him
The headline number from the session is Antonelli's advantage over the rest. RacingNews365 reports that the gap to Norris and Verstappen was around two and a half tenths. The margin between second-placed Norris and third-placed Verstappen, by contrast, was just six thousandths of a second when the field turned to race simulations.
Verstappen's afternoon ended earlier than planned. RacingNews365 reports that he climbed out of his car roughly five minutes before the chequered flag, after which work began on the car. The outlet says it is not entirely clear what the issue was. He still finished the session third, ahead of George Russell in fourth and Oscar Piastri in fifth.
Dutch coverage of the session picked up on the same themes. NOS reported Verstappen's provisional third place and described Antonelli as quick on his runs, while AD.nl noted that Verstappen reached third despite problems and that Antonelli was clearly the strongest. NU described the session as drizzly and reported that Verstappen was two tenths adrift. Separately, Motorsport.com reported that Norris had been fastest in the first practice, and that Herta secured his superlicence.
What to watch
RacingNews365's account leaves the cause of Verstappen's early exit unresolved, and the weather is the other open question. With rain falling and visibility dropping through the session, the final practice and qualifying could be affected. How teams read those conditions, and whether Verstappen's car is trouble-free, will shape the rest of the weekend in São Paulo.
