Mercedes
Russell did not participate in FP1, allowing Vesti to take his place, where Vesti performed well for Mercedes. However, Antonelli outshined him, consistently posting quick times and finishing second on the board, indicating that Mercedes has a competitive car for this track. Despite encountering a mechanical issue early on, the rookie managed to stay in the top three during the subsequent session. Russell, who watched FP1 from the sidelines, returned for FP2 and got back to his fast driving, although he voiced concerns about grip on the medium tires.
George Russell – FP2: 1:17.829, P6
“As an F1 driver, opportunities to watch from the grandstands are rare since you’re usually driving. During FP1, I took the chance to enjoy the view while Fred did a fantastic job, placing us in a strong spot for FP2. After returning for the second session, it became clear that the competitive landscape is tight once more. The short track means minimal margins across the board. Our single-lap pace looked solid, emphasizing the importance of qualifying for a good outcome on Sunday. Tomorrow should be exciting as we see how it unfolds among the top eight cars.”
Kimi Antonelli – FP1: 1:18.487, P2; FP2: 1:17.566, P3
“It was a solid Friday—a great first day on track for me. I felt comfortable in the car right away and found my pace quickly. FP1 went slightly better than FP2 as we tried different setups between sessions. Some adjustments worked well while others set us back a bit. We can analyze the data this evening and determine what to keep for FP3. I’m excited about our prospects for the weekend as our pace looks strong in both low and high-fuel conditions.”
Frederik Vesti – FP1: 1:19.689, P14
“It was fantastic to be back in the W16 today. After spending countless hours in the simulator with the team at Brackley, this was my second time on track, having previously driven in FP1 in Bahrain. The session went well; my laps were consistent, and we completed our full agenda. While I always wish for more laps and faster times, I left the car feeling pleased with my performance and look forward to assisting the team as we fight for second in the Constructors’ Championship.”
Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director
“Friday practice starts with low grip conditions, which is why many teams chose to field a young driver in FP1. George opted to observe while Fred performed admirably, finishing as the fastest rookie and focusing on long run work. His experience in the simulator provided valuable real-world mileage. Kimi showed good form as well, indicating that our car is competitive. With George back in FP2, he, too, faced grip challenges but exhibited solid pace. With the track evolving, we’ll need to adjust, but today marked a strong start in Mexico City.”
