Antonelli hails team for ‘massive turnaround’ to top Belgian GP practice
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium: Series leader Kimi Antonelli hailed his Mercedes team on Friday after bouncing back to top the times in second free practice ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix. The 19-year-old Italian, who also gesticulated at Carlos Sainz for what he said was “a dangerous moment” during the session, was sixth fastest in the earlier opening practice, six-tenths off the pace of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. But he improved dramatically in the second hour to clock a fastest time of one minute and 45.944, nearly-two tenths quicker than second-placed defending champion Lando Norris of McLaren. Four-time champion Verstappen was third 0.472 adrift while his Mercedes team-mate and main title rival George Russell was down in eighth, more than 1.2 seconds slower. “It was a massive turnaround with the car because in FP1 we struggled a lot more than we anticipated,” said Antonelli. “So, it was a good change, but of course we have a lot of work to do because Red Bull is quick and McLaren are up there too. “So, we just need to put things together.” - Gasly crashed heavily -
