SAO PAULO: Newly crowned Formula One champion Kimi Antonelli set the pace in second practice for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Friday after McLaren's Lando Norris was fastest in the opening session at Interlagos.
Mercedes driver Antonelli topped the timesheets with a lap of one minute 10.763 seconds under dry but humid conditions, with Norris second, 0.253 slower, and Red Bull's four-times world champion Max Verstappen third, 0.259 off the pace.
"There's a bit of work to do, but overall feeling good and excited for tomorrow. I think we have a good chance," the Italian said, referring to Saturday's qualifying.
George Russell was fourth fastest for Mercedes despite a looming five-place grid penalty for taking a fresh engine, ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri, while Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were sixth and seventh.
