P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Kimi Antonelli finished both free practice sessions on Friday inside the top 10 – the first time he’s managed that in F1.
Kimi Antonelli explained how Mercedes’ setup changes during Friday’s Mexican GP practice sessions resulted in mixed outcomes for the team. Antonelli achieved second and third place in the two Friday sessions, marking his first time finishing in the top three in both practices and outperforming teammate George Russell in FP2 by almost three-tenths. Despite facing track evolution challenges, Antonelli described the day as one of his best Fridays in a while. He noted that while FP1 was strong, FP2 saw mixed results due to setup alterations that improved the car in some aspects but worsened it in others, providing valuable data for the team. Dealing with an engine issue at the start of the session added some pressure, but completing all planned laps was crucial. Antonelli expressed hope for a strong showing on Saturday, acknowledging the need to adapt to evolving track conditions and maintain a competitive edge with driving and car performance.
