F1 Belgian GP 2026 FP2 Results: Kimi Antonelli Goes Fastest as Pierre Gasly Crash Triggers Red Flag at Spa

Mercedes’ teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli topped the timesheets in the second practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix 2026 at Spa-Francorchamps on Friday, edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris in FP2. The session ended prematurely after Alpine’s Pierre Gasly suffered a heavy crash, bringing out the red flags and denying teams the chance to complete their final qualifying simulations.

The 19-year-old championship leader clocked a best lap of 1:45.944 to finish 0.190 seconds ahead of Norris, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen followed in third after having topped the opening practice session earlier in the day.

Norris was on pole position at Spa last year but this time will have a 10-place grid penalty added to wherever he qualifies on Saturday.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was third on the later timesheets, 0.472 off Antonelli’s time, after leading the way in first practice with a time of 1:47.070.

What Happened To Pierre Gasly?

Gasly crashed his Alpine at Stavelot with 14 minutes remaining, smashing his car’s rear wing and suspension and bringing out the red flags.

“Just absolutely lost it out of nowhere,” the Frenchman said over the team radio. “I must have lost the rear.”

By the time the track was clear again, there was not enough time for more quick laps with drivers focusing on practice starts.

Here’s a look at what happened to Pierre 💥#F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/j0bryKITvr

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 17, 2026

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton — a winner already this season and chasing a record-equalling sixth Belgian victory — was second fastest in the opening session, 0.145 slower than Verstappen, and fourth later on.

Belgian-born four-time champion Verstappen has won three times at Spa-Francorchamps, most recently in 2023.

The Dutch driver has crashed at speed in the last two races, accidents that have led Red Bull to revert to a more conventional rear wing.

Teammate Isack Hadjar, who will start at the back on Sunday due to engine penalties, was fourth and fifth in the two sessions.

McLaren’s 2025 winner Oscar Piastri was fifth early on and then sixth.

Antonelli had fumed at Williams’ Carlos Sainz in the first session, calling the Spaniard an idiot for blocking him.

Mercedes’ George Russell was eighth in both sessions, ahead of Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad.

Russell is 25 points behind Antonelli after nine rounds of the championship. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll ran into the gravel late in the first session.

Belgian Grand Prix 2026 FP2 Results: 

(With inputs from Reuters)