Max Verstappen trails Kimi Antonelli by 0.5s in Spa FP2 amid battery concerns

Max Verstappen ran third in second practice at Spa-Francorchamps on Friday, a half-second behind Kimi Antonelli, as pundits warned the gaps could shrink with overnight work.

What happened in Spa FP2?

On 25 Jul 2025, Max Verstappen topped first practice at Spa-Francorchamps, but slipped to third in FP2. He finished 0.509s behind pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli, with Lando Norris sandwiched between them. The Dutchman’s RB20 showed solid pace despite grumbles over the gearbox. Verstappen’s best lap sat inside the top three, though he lost time to Antonelli late in the session.

The session saw two red flags, one after Pierre Gasly crashed heavily at Pouhon. Gasly walked away and reported via team radio that he was fine. The lengthy stoppage ate into running time, yet the top trio stayed within a tight window.

Why it matters for Max Verstappen

The 0.5s gap to Antonelli raised eyebrows in the paddock. Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok called the margins “bigger than we’re used to,” noting Spa’s long straights and sparse braking zones make energy deployment tricky. Chandhok expects teams to claw back time overnight, telling RacePictures: “I don’t think it’s a given we’ll see the same picture tomorrow.”

Verstappen’s teammate Isack Hadjar also impressed, briefly leading before Antonelli reclaimed the top spot. The four-time champion’s first lap was just 0.020s slower than Hadjar’s, underscoring RB’s depth. Yet battery management looms large at Spa, where recovery zones are scarce and every joule counts.

What comes next?

Qualifying on Saturday will test who maximized their overnight tweaks. Chandhok reckoned Verstappen’s deficit won’t hold, adding: “I’ll be surprised if he’s that far away from Antonelli.” The Dutchman’s race pace remains the benchmark, but the margin for error feels thinner than usual.

With Spa’s high-speed rhythm favoring late-braking precision, Verstappen must adapt quickly. The question isn’t just whether he can close the gap, but if the RB20’s energy strategy can survive the Belgian grind. One thing’s certain: the competitive order isn’t fixed yet.