Like four other young drivers, Kimi Antonelli took part in the first free practice sessions for the Mexico Grand Prix, in Lewis Hamilton's car. The Italian took 12th time in the session after completing 19 laps, finishing 1.202 seconds behind teammate George Russell, in what he described as a “clean session”.
Antonelli made his first Grand Prix tests during FP1 at Monza. The 18-year-old driver had impressed greatly before he lost control of his W15 in the Parabolica, ending up in the safety barriers after around ten minutes.
After the free practice in Mexico, Antonelli explained that he had approached this session in a much calmer manner, without taking unnecessary risks, with the main objective of always acquiring a little more experience within this car in which he will ride full time next year.
“It was definitely better than at Monza”Antonelli said. “I drove a lot calmer today, I didn't want to take any risks. I just wanted to have a clean session, just do a few laps, understand the car a little more and understand the tires.”
“I think overall it was pretty decent. Of course I could feel like I wasn't at the limit, but that's just because it was my choice. I just wanted to do a session clean overall. I was able to pick up the pace quite quickly.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli in Lewis Hamilton's W15 during FP1 in Mexico.
Photo de: Dom Romney / Motorsport Images
Only a few minutes into FP1, the red flag was briefly waved due to debris on the track. A piece of carbon from an aerodynamic element of a single-seater that Antonelli rode on, damaging the floor of Hamilton's W15.
“To be honest, I hadn’t really seen it.”explained the young pilot. “It's a shame because I had quite a bit of damage on the floor, it was quite significant, so of course it wasn't ideal. But I still managed to do a few laps.”
Toto Wolff, Mercedes team director, also assured that this session aimed to always prepare its future starting driver a little better, without putting unnecessary pressure on his shoulders, something that the team admitted to having done involuntary manner in Monza.
“It wasn’t so much about setting times for Kimi, it was more about getting to know the circuit”indicated the Austrian boss. “We did some small tests, but it's not about lap times here. And when he comes here next year, he will know where to turn right and where to turn left. The principle is simple, you have to get to know the track and take it easy, no one watches the time.”
Comments collected by Frederik Hackbarth and Jake Boxall-Legge