Antonelli expects close fight with Verstappen and Norris in Brazil

Kimi Antonelli set the pace in second practice in Brazil, but expects a close fight with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. He based that view on the long-run pace, which he said looked close.

Antonelli was at least 0.25 seconds clear of the field. Norris was second and Verstappen third, separated by just 0.006 seconds.

The Mercedes driver said he felt good in the car over one quick lap, while there was still work to do on long-run pace. He thought Mercedes had a good chance of fighting for pole, though McLaren and Red Bull looked strong.

Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord also rated the team's long-run pace as good. He said both drivers were working to reduce understeer, a problem the team had experienced little of since introducing its update package in Malaysia.

Lord thought Ferrari might be half a step behind for now, but expected it to be back in contention in the warmer conditions on Saturday.