Norris Shines in Monza FP2, Antonelli Faces Setback

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Lando Norris set the fastest time in the second free practice (FP2) session for the 2025 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, while Kimi Antonelli suffered another setback at his home circuit. Norris, representing McLaren, posted a leading lap of 1:19.878s, signaling a strong recovery after his Dutch Grand Prix retirement. In contrast, Antonelli of Mercedes triggered a red flag with a crash at Lesmo 2.

Sportrik’s in-depth analysis, based on the FP2 session held on September 5, 2025, examines the contrasting performances of these drivers. Below is a detailed breakdown.

Norris’ Commanding Performance

Following a technical failure in the Dutch Grand Prix that left him 34 points behind teammate Oscar Piastri, Norris responded emphatically in Monza. Early in FP2, he clocked 1:21.012s on medium tires, leading Piastri by two-tenths. Switching to soft tires, Norris broke the 80-second barrier with a 1:19.878s lap, which remained unbeaten.

However, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari finished just 0.083s behind, with Carlos Sainz of Williams 0.096s off the pace. Norris’ speed on Monza’s straights highlights McLaren’s potential for a strong qualifying and race.

Antonelli’s Struggles at Lesmo 2

Conversely, Antonelli endured a challenging session in front of his home crowd. Just nine minutes into FP2, the 19-year-old lost control of his Mercedes at Lesmo 2, sliding into the gravel and causing a seven-minute red flag. This incident echoed his crash in FP1 at Monza the previous year, intensifying scrutiny on his rookie season.

Antonelli completed only four laps, finishing 19th, 1.489s slower than Norris. With ongoing contract talks with Mercedes for next season, this setback adds pressure to his campaign.

Session Dynamics and Team Performances

FP2 also showcased strong performances from other teams. Lewis Hamilton, who led FP1 for Ferrari, secured fifth place, 0.192s behind Norris. Max Verstappen of Red Bull finished sixth, reporting instability in his car.

Williams impressed with Sainz in third and Alex Albon in seventh, capitalizing on Monza’s layout. Sauber also showed promise, with Nico Hulkenberg in eighth.

Norris’ FP2 performance signals a potential resurgence, positioning him as a contender for pole and victory. Leclerc and Sainz, backed by the tifosi, remain formidable threats for Ferrari. For Antonelli, the focus shifts to recovering in qualifying and the race to regain confidence at his home Grand Prix.

Stay updated with Sportrik’s comprehensive coverage of the 2025 Italian Grand Prix at SPORTRIK.