Source: Official Team Post via X
Leclerc Leads FP2 at United States Grand Prix 2026
Charles Leclerc topped the FP2 timesheets in Austin, with Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen completing the top three. The session saw multiple track limits deletions as drivers prepared for Saturday's qualifying.
Kimi Antonelli is edging closer to a potential title as the F1 weekend unfolds in Austin. During the second practice session at the United States Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc set the pace, finishing Friday on top for Ferrari, while Antonelli and Max Verstappen followed closely in second and third for Mercedes and Red Bull, respectively.
Ferrari had reason to be optimistic as Leclerc dominated both sessions, with teammate Lewis Hamilton securing fourth place in FP2, just ahead of George Russell's Mercedes. Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson claimed sixth, showing strong form ahead of McLaren's duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Isack Hadjar took ninth for Red Bull, setting his best time on medium tyres, while Haas' Ollie Bearman completed the top ten.
Further down the order, Gabriel Bortoleto led a tight midfield battle, finishing just ahead of Pierre Gasly, Arvid Lindblad, Esteban Ocon, and Franco Colapinto. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll ended the session in 16th and 17th, with Audi's Nico Hulkenberg in 18th place. Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas and Williams' Carlos Sainz were 19th and 20th, respectively.
Sergio Perez, who returned to his Cadillac after missing FP1, finished 21st. Meanwhile, Alex Albon encountered multiple track limits violations, leaving him at the bottom of the timesheets in his challenging Williams.
The session was marked by numerous lap deletions due to track limits, a recurring theme as drivers worked on refining their setups ahead of Saturday's qualifying.
F1 FP2 Results: United States Grand Prix 2026
| Pos | Driver | Team | Best Lap | Gap | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:35.291 | – | | 2 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:35.333 | +0.042 | | 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:35.480 | +0.189 | | 4 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:35.906 | +0.615 | | 5 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:36.035 | +0.744 | | 6 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1:36.331 | +1.040 | | 7 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:36.373 | +1.082 | | 8 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:36.387 | +1.096 | | 9 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | 1:36.411 | +1.120 | | 10 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1:36.536 | +1.245 | | 11 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | 1:36.832 | +1.541 | | 12 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:36.840 | +1.549 | | 13 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | 1:36.959 | +1.668 | | 14 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | 1:37.111 | +1.820 | | 15 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 1:37.201 | +1.910 | | 16 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:37.235 | +1.944 | | 17 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:37.269 | +1.978 | | 18 | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | 1:37.430 | +2.139 | | 19 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | 1:38.422 | +3.131 | | 20 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 1:38.446 | +3.155 | | 21 | Sergio Perez | Cadillac | 1:39.036 | +3.745 | | 22 | Alex Albon | Williams | 1:43.426 | +8.135 |