Rookie Kimi Antonelli Sets Fastest Lap in FP2 at São Paulo Grand Prix

Mercedes' young test driver Kimi Antonelli impressed at the Interlagos circuit on Saturday, clocking the fastest lap in the second practice (FP2) for the Brazilian Grand Prix. The 19‑year‑old, who is currently serving as a reserve driver for the Silver Arrows, posted a time of 1:10.896, putting him ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, according to Formula1.com.

The session, which ran from 13:00 to 14:00 local time (07:30‑08:30 IST), saw Antonelli quickly adapt to the high‑downforce, bumpy track that has historically favoured experienced drivers. His lap was set on the medium‑compound tyre, and he managed to stay clear of the usual traffic that often hampers the fastest times in practice. Norris, who topped the first practice (FP1) with a 1:10.756, could only manage a best of 1:11.023 in FP2, while Verstappen, the reigning World Champion, recorded a 1:11.145.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised Antonelli’s performance in a brief post‑session interview, noting that the youngster’s pace “shows the potential to be a strong asset for the team in the future.” The result also adds weight to the ongoing discussion about Antonelli’s possible promotion to a full‑time race seat, a topic that has been circulating since his impressive debut in the 2024 Formula 2 season.

For Indian fans: The Brazilian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on FanCode with commentary in English and Hindi. The race is scheduled for Sunday, 2 November at 14:00 local time (08:30 IST). Indian viewers can also follow live timing and sector analysis on the official F1 app, which provides a dedicated “India” feed for regional updates.

Antonelli’s fastest lap in FP2 underscores the depth of talent emerging from the junior categories and hints at a potentially exciting midfield battle as the season heads into its final stretch.

Source: Formula1.com