'Don't Do That!': Antonelli's FP1 Cut Short by Hydraulics Failure—and a Marshal's Spray

Kimi Antonelli's first practice session ended early on Friday after a hydraulics failure forced him to stop his Mercedes on track. The Italian driver climbed out unharmed, but not before a marshal sprayed him—prompting a memorable 'Don't do that!' over the radio.

Why it matters:

With the season entering its final phase, every minute of practice is valuable for Mercedes and Antonelli. Lost track time complicates setup work, and reliability remains a concern under F1's new power unit regulations.

The details:

• Antonelli reported a hydraulics issue early in the session and was told to stop the car.
• As the Mercedes came to a halt, a marshal moved in and sprayed the car, catching the driver in the process.
• His reaction was broadcast on team radio: 'Don't do that!'—a moment that stood out from the session.
• Mercedes will now investigate the cause before the next session.

The big picture:

Reliability has been a recurring theme across the grid this season as teams adapt to the latest hybrid power units. For Mercedes, avoiding setbacks is crucial in a tight field where track time can make the difference.

What's next:

FP2 gives Antonelli a chance to recover lost running, but Mercedes needs a clean session to avoid falling behind on setup work. The team will hope this was an isolated issue rather than a sign of a bigger problem.