P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Kimi Antonelli has reflected on his FP1 outing for Mercedes at the Mexico City Grand Prix, sharing a surprise factor in a session he did not want to push to the limit in.
Italian driver Kimi Antonelli expressed his surprise at the level of grip offered by the soft compound Pirelli tires during FP1 for the Mexico City Grand Prix. Despite not fully utilizing the performance, he managed to drive within the limits of the Mercedes W15 while focusing on a clean session following his early crash at Monza last month. Antonelli finished the first practice hour in P12, aiming to understand the car and tires better without taking unnecessary risks. He mentioned feeling more confident than his F2 debut in Monza and acknowledged the significant grip improvement with the soft tires. Despite encountering floor damage during the session due to debris on the track, Antonelli was able to gather valuable experience and laps. George Russell topped the session, while Antonelli faced challenges but managed to make the most of the opportunity.
