Leclerc Tops FP2 at US GP as McLaren Faces Grip Challenges

Charles Leclerc set the pace in Friday's second practice session for the United States Grand Prix, clocking a fastest lap of 1m35.291s at the Circuit of the Americas. His time narrowly surpassed Kimi Antonelli, who pushed hard but ultimately settled behind the Ferrari driver. Max Verstappen initially set a strong benchmark, but Leclerc's late surge secured him the top spot.

McLaren struggled to find grip throughout the session, hampering their performance and leaving them off the pace compared to the front runners. The challenging layout of Austin's circuit appeared to test the teams' setups and tyre management strategies.

As teams prepare for qualifying, the battle between Ferrari and Red Bull remains intense, with Leclerc and Verstappen both demonstrating competitive pace. Meanwhile, McLaren will need to address their handling issues to improve their prospects for the race weekend.