Antonelli Leads Brazil GP Long Runs by 0.311s as Ferrari Falls More Than 1s Back
Updated
Updated · Motorsport.com · Nov 6
Antonelli Leads Brazil GP Long Runs by 0.311s as Ferrari Falls More Than 1s Back
3 articles · Updated · Motorsport.com · Nov 6
Summary
Antonelli backed up his FP2 pace by topping Interlagos long-run analysis, with Mercedes teammate George Russell 0.311 seconds per lap slower and Max Verstappen 0.474 back after stint adjustments.
Mercedes gained through sectors two and three, showing pace in both the twisty middle section and on the straights, while Antonelli’s 20-lap soft-tyre run stood out in heavy degradation.
Ferrari endured the sharpest drop-off: Charles Leclerc was 1.072 seconds per lap off Antonelli’s race pace and Lewis Hamilton 1.090, with team boss Frederic Vasseur citing balance and energy-deployment problems.
McLaren remained closest on one-lap pace—Lando Norris was 0.253 seconds down in qualifying simulation—but said Mercedes looked about two tenths a lap stronger in FP2 as McLaren readies its full upgrade package for Saturday.
Tyre wear averaged about 0.15 seconds per lap after Pirelli brought softer C3-C5 compounds, reinforcing expectations that Sunday’s Brazil Grand Prix will again be a two-stop race.