Antonelli dominates Belgian GP FP2 as Verstappen camp meets McLaren junior

Kimi Antonelli topped Belgian GP FP2 at Spa with the only sub-1:46 lap, while a McLaren hospitality visit by Jos Verstappen and Raymond Vermeulen was clarified as a meeting with junior talent Dries Van Langendonck.

Why it matters:

Antonelli's commanding pace at Spa underscores Mercedes' faith in their young charger. The Verstappen camp's appearance in McLaren's unit stirred driver market chatter, but the agenda centered on nurturing the next generation rather than Max's future.

The details:

• Antonelli set a 1:45.944 in FP2, leading Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton took fourth for Ferrari, with Isack Hadjar in fifth.
• Two red flags interrupted running: early gravel on the racing line, followed by Pierre Gasly's crash which left his Alpine without a rear wing.
• Racing Bulls placed Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson in the top 10. Ferrari split fortunes as Hamilton ran fourth but Charles Leclerc missed the top 10, while George Russell finished eighth for Mercedes.
• Aston Martin struggled, both drivers ending over five seconds off the pace.
• Jos Verstappen and Vermeulen met 15-year-old Van Langendonck in McLaren hospitality because the Belgian remains part of McLaren's junior program after signing with Verstappen Racing.

What's next:

Saturday qualifying will show whether Antonelli's Friday speed converts into genuine front-row contention. For Van Langendonck, the dual support from McLaren and Verstappen Racing offers a clear pathway through the junior ranks.