In the second practice session, Leclerc clocked a best lap of 1:17.827, finishing 0.103 seconds clear of McLaren’s Lando Norris. Mercedes duo George Russell and championship leader
Championship Stakes and On-Track Drama
The stakes are high for Antonelli, who can become the youngest world champion in
The session was not without incident, as a red flag was deployed 15 minutes in to clear debris following a clash between Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson. The contact caused damage to Verstappen’s Red Bull, which the team had to repair before he could return to the track to finish fifth. The incident was noted by stewards for further investigation.
As the field transitioned to longer-run simulations and heavier fuel loads in the latter stages of the session, the focus shifted toward race pace. While Ferrari appeared to hold a slight advantage, the competitive nature of the midfield—including Isack Hadjar in sixth and Arvid Lindblad in seventh—suggests a tight battle ahead. Local hero Sergio Perez, marking his 300th Formula One start, also navigated the sessions, albeit with an early caution for a pit-lane infringement.
