Andrea Kimi Antonelli Tops FP2 at Belgian Grand Prix-Fastest Lap Secured

**Andrea Kimi Antonelli** clinched the quickest lap in FP2 of the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix on July 17, posting a 1:45.134 at Spa‑Francorchamps and edging out reigning champion Lewis Hamilton by nearly two‑tenths of a second.

What happened in FP2?

The session saw Antonelli surge from a modest FP1 performance to the top of the timesheets. Lando Norris of McLaren recovered to second, while George Russell’s Mercedes fell to eighth. Max Verstappen, who led FP1, finished third, and the field was shuffled by two red‑flag periods-one for gravel cleanup and another after Pierre Gasly’s Alpine lost its rear wing at Turn 14.

How does this affect Antonelli’s standing?

The teenager’s fastest lap not only restores confidence after a DNF at Silverstone but also signals his growing pace on high‑speed circuits. With Hamilton and Verstappen still in the mix, Antonelli’s performance positions him as a dark horse for the weekend’s sprint and race, especially as teams scramble to fine‑tune aerodynamics for Spa’s demanding layout.

Why does McLaren’s resurgence matter?

Norris’ P2 effort lifts McLaren’s morale, placing the team ahead of its sister car, Oscar Piastri, who ended the session sixth. The British outfit hopes to capitalize on the momentum, aiming to convert strong qualifying runs into podium finishes, a goal that could reshape the early‑season championship battle.

What’s next for the weekend?

The final practice will test tyre wear and fuel strategies, while the qualifying shootout on Saturday promises a tight grid. Antonelli will look to translate his FP2 speed into a solid qualifying position, hoping to avoid the ten‑place grid penalty that Hamilton faces. Meanwhile, McLaren aims to keep Norris in contention for a top‑three start, setting the stage for an exciting race on Sunday.