FP2: Antonelli tops second Spielberg practice as Mercedes delivers dominant long-run simulation

Andrea Kimi Antonelli delivered the standout performance of Friday at the Austrian Grand Prix, topping both practice sessions and closing FP2 with a commanding benchmark that underlined his intent to rebound after his late retirement in Barcelona.

The Mercedes rookie—already leading the championship—set the fastest time of the afternoon by 0.237s over Oscar Piastri, with Lando Norris completing a McLaren‑heavy top three despite neither papaya car quite matching Antonelli’s precision over a single lap.

McLaren, meanwhile, abandoned plans to run its experimental “upside‑down” rear wing after determining it needed further preparation.

The team will revert to its standard configuration for the remainder of the weekend, delaying the debut of the innovative concept until a future race.

Antonelli’s day contrasted sharply with that of his teammate George Russell, who could only manage sixth after a messy soft‑tyre lap left him more than six‑tenths adrift.

Between the two Mercedes drivers sat Max Verstappen, whose upgraded Red Bull showed flashes of promise but still ended FP2 half a second off the ultimate pace, and Lewis Hamilton, who placed fifth for Ferrari after a steady but unspectacular session.

Behind them, the midfield shuffled tightly. Isack Hadjar put the second Red Bull seventh, while Charles Leclerc returned to his Ferrari in FP2—after giving up his seat to rookie Dino Beganovic in FP1—and slotted into eighth.

Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) and Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) rounded out the top ten, continuing their consistent form in the early stages of the weekend.

But the most dramatic storyline belonged to Cadillac, whose troubled Friday went from bad to worse.

Sergio Pérez suffered a second power‑loss stoppage of the day, mirroring his FP1 failure, while Valtteri Bottas limped back to the pits with suspension damage—only for his car to catch fire as he arrived.

Both drivers ended the session 21st and 22nd, a disappointing outcome for a team that brought a major upgrade package to Spielberg.