P1racenews AI automatic summary:
A fifth of the Formula 1 field was replaced by FP1-only rookies at the Mexican Grand Prix – chief among them was a second chance for Kimi Antonelli to get a clean early 2025 F1 headstart with Mercedes. The Race details how each of the rookie quintet performed in Mexico
At the Mexican Grand Prix, one-fifth of the Formula 1 field was made up of FP1-only rookies, including Kimi Antonelli with Mercedes, Ollie Bearman with Ferrari, Pato O’Ward with McLaren, Felipe Drugovich with Aston Martin, and Robert Shwartzman with Sauber. The rookies were closely monitored by The Race’s Scott Mitchell-Malm and Edd Straw during Friday’s session. Kimi Antonelli’s second F1 outing was more subdued compared to his debut in Italy, as he focused on a clean and calm performance, successfully completing laps without crashing. Despite a minor incident with debris causing floor damage, Antonelli managed a straightforward session and gathered valuable experience in understanding the car and tires. He worked on longer runs with hard tires early on, receiving feedback on areas for improvement like braking and mid-corner speed. Antonelli’s performance runs on soft tires showed potential, with room for improvement in specific corners. Overall, the young driver aimed to build confidence and learn as much as possible during his F1 opportunity.
