As red flags interrupt second practice at Spa
Kimi Antonelli topped the timesheets in Free Practice 2 for the 2026 FIA Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, leading Lando Norris and Max Verstappen in a session interrupted by two red flags at Spa-Francorchamps.
With track temperatures falling to 33.7°C, the field began the hour on Medium tyres. Antonelli immediately established the benchmark for Mercedes with a 1m46.911s, putting him narrowly ahead of Isack Hadjar and Verstappen during the opening phase.
Oscar Piastri was the only driver unable to join the early running, McLaren continuing repairs after a hydraulic issue in FP1. The Australian eventually emerged 19 minutes into the session and completed 11 laps, eventually rising to sixth on the timesheet.
The first red flag was shown after gravel was dragged onto the racing line, prompting a brief halt while the circuit was cleared . When running resumed, several drivers switched to Soft tyres, including Antonelli, Verstappen, Hadjar and Alexander Albon.
Antonelli then recorded a time of a 1:45.944, a time that kept the Mercedes driver in control until the flag. Norris later moved into second for McLaren, 0.190s behind, while Verstappen completed the top three, 0.472s off the pace.
Lewis Hamilton was fourth for Ferrari, 0.747s down on Antonelli, with Isack Hadjar fifth for Red Bull. Piastri recovered to sixth despite losing much of the opening half of the session, while Franco Colapinto placed Alpine seventh.
George Russell ended the session eighth in the second Mercedes, 1.285s behind his team-mate. Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson completed the top 10 for Racing Bulls.
Charles Leclerc finished 11th after losing his best lap to track limits. Behind him, Oliver Bearman led Gabriel Bortoleto, Esteban Ocon, Albon and Carlos Sainz. Nico Hülkenberg was 17th, ahead of Pierre Gasly, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Pérez and the two Aston Martin drivers.
The final phase was disrupted by a heavier accident for Gasly at Fagnes. The Alpine driver lost the rear of the car after Turn 13 and struck the barriers, damaging the rear wing and losing a rear tyre before stopping on circuit. The Frenchman was unhurt and was able to climb from his car but the session was red-flagged.
It with just two minutes left on the clock. That left enough time for installation laps and practice starts. Antonelli therefore remained fastest after 17 laps, with Norris second and Verstappen third ahead of Hamilton and Hadjar. Piastri ended the session in P6, ahead of Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, Mercedes’ George Russell, and the Racing Bulls pair of Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson.
2026 FIA Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix – Free Practice 2
1 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:45.944 17 237.997
2 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 1:46.134 0.190 18 237.571
3 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Red Bull Ford 1:46.416 0.472 21 236.941
4 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:46.691 0.747 16 236.331
5 Isack Hadjar Red Bull/Red Bull Ford 1:46.714 0.770 20 236.280
6 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 1:46.926 0.982 11 235.811
7 Franco Colapinto Alpine/Mercedes 1:47.147 1.203 20 235.325
8 George Russell Mercedes 1:47.229 1.285 20 235.145
9 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford 1:47.294 1.350 20 235.002
10 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford 1:47.434 1.490 16 234.696
11 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:47.468 1.524 18 234.622
12 Oliver Bearman Haas/Ferrari 1:47.792 1.848 16 233.917
13 Gabirel Bortoleto Audi 1:47.952 2.008 17 233.570
14 Esteban Ocon Haas/Ferrari 1:47.958 2.014 19 233.557
15 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 1:48.019 2.075 19 233.425
16 Carlos Sainz Williams/Mercedes 1:48.256 2.312 19 232.914
17 Nico Hülkenberg Audi 1:48.333 2.389 16 232.749
18 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Mercedes 1:48.955 3.011 15 231.420
19 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac/Ferrari 1:49.199 3.255 18 230.903
20 Sergio Pérez Cadillac/Ferrari 1:49.596 3.652 20 230.066
21 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Honda 1:51.131 5.187 17 226.888
22 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Honda 1:51.418 5.474 19 226.30
