Kimi Antonelli hails Baku recovery after unusual encouragement

Kimi Antonelli recovered from a disrupted Thursday in Baku to finish second in FP2 for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, only behind Mercedes team-mate George Russell. A hydraulics failure in FP1 and a subsequent power unit change cost the championship leader significant track time on a circuit where every lap matters.

Why it matters:

As the F1 drivers' championship leader, Antonelli cannot afford to lose time to his rivals, especially on a street circuit as demanding as Baku. His strong recovery and immediate pace signal that Mercedes' W17 remains competitive, and that he remains a serious title contender.

The details:

• Antonelli finished fifth in FP1 before a hydraulics failure brought him to a stop at Turn 7, with smoke billowing from the car.
• Mercedes then opted to change the power unit as a precaution, keeping him out of the garage for a large portion of FP2.
• Despite missing roughly half the session, he ended Thursday second fastest, behind Russell, who topped both practice sessions.
• The unusual twist: Antonelli said he encouraged marshals to spray more fire extinguisher foam on his car to limit damage from the small fire.
• "I wanted them to spray a bit more because the car caught a bit on fire," he explained. "Luckily, it didn't do much damage. I was just encouraging them to go for it."
• Reflecting on his day, he said: "I feel quite good in the car. A few things to work on, but looking forward to tomorrow."

What's next:

With limited running under his belt, Antonelli will look to maximise FP3 to refine his setup before a crucial qualifying session in Baku, where grid position is vital.