Overview
- Lando Norris set the FP2 benchmark with a 1:23.083 on softs, 0.363 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen after also heading FP1.
- Max Verstappen kept McLaren in sight during race‑run work, preserving his shot in the three‑way championship decider with Oscar Piastri.
- The title permutations leave Norris champion with at least third place on Sunday, keeping his fate in his own hands.
- Oscar Piastri managed only 11th in FP2 after ceding FP1 to rookie Pato O’Ward, with errors on both push laps leaving him work to do before qualifying.
- McLaren chief Zak Brown said the team aims to avoid team orders but will use them if one driver falls out of contention, a step pundits say could be deployed late in the race.