Antonelli tops FP2 as Mercedes drivers seek to reduce understeer

Kimi Antonelli topped Friday’s second practice at Interlagos, but both Mercedes drivers were still trying to reduce understeer, deputy team principal Bradley Lord said.

Antonelli set a 1:10.763, ahead of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, while George Russell was fourth. Lord said Mercedes had seen little understeer since introducing its seven-part aerodynamic update at Sepang. He also judged Mercedes’ long-run pace competitive.

Asked whether Mercedes was getting a better understanding of the update’s operating window, Lord said he was not sure. He said the expected swing from cool Friday conditions to much warmer weather on Saturday and cooler conditions on race day would test whether the team could manage changes in track temperature and their effect on the car’s balance.