Antonelli: Early FP1 exit 'never ideal' but FP2 recovery was 'good'

Kimi Antonelli conceded that his early exit from FP1 was less than ideal, especially on a street circuit like Baku, but the Mercedes driver was satisfied with his comeback in the second practice session.

Why it matters:

In Baku, where walls are unforgiving and track evolution is rapid, every lap counts. Losing track time in FP1 puts a driver on the back foot, but Antonelli's FP2 recovery shows his ability to adapt quickly—an important trait for the rest of the weekend.

The details:

• Antonelli's FP1 session was cut short, forcing him to sit out the majority of the opening practice.
• "It's never ideal, especially here," he admitted, referencing the high-risk nature of the Azerbaijan Street Circuit.
• The Italian bounced back in FP2, completing a solid run and gathering valuable data for the team.
• He described the recovery as "good," highlighting progress in car balance and confidence.

What's next:

With limited running, Antonelli will need to maximize FP3 and qualifying to make up for lost time. Given his strong FP2 form, he looks poised to challenge for a strong grid position.