What the teams said – Friday at the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix

Mercedes

Antonelli had a significantly better FP1 outing than he managed at Monza, though he did run over some particles early on, which required a prolonged keep within the storage to verify his flooring. As for Russell, he confirmed critical tempo from the phrase go, with the automobile wanting fast out of the field. However from the highs of FP1 got here the lows of FP2, Russell crashing into the limitations earlier on after shedding management over the kerbs. He managed to do a critical quantity of harm to his automobile, however thankfully was launched swiftly from the Medical Centre. As for Hamilton, he solely managed one flying lap on the 2024 tyres late on, so can be eager to strive the opposite compounds tomorrow.

WATCH: Russell triggers crimson flag with heavy crash throughout second Mexico follow

Lewis Hamilton – FP2: 1:18.279, P7

“It was nice to see Kimi do a extremely stable job for the staff in FP1. It’s been pleasant working with and supporting him forward of the session and the programme he carried out set us up properly for the afternoon. It’s not at all times straightforward to get straight in control having missed that opening follow however I obtained an excellent feeling from the automobile in FP2.

“With the tyre check, we couldn’t change something on the automobile in the course of the session. The crimson flag following George’s crash nearly meant we misplaced a good chunk of working time. Nonetheless, I really feel like we obtained loads of good data to work via and utilise this night as we glance to make enhancements for the remainder of the weekend.”

George Russell – FP1: 1:17.998, P1; FP2: 1:19.041, P18

“It was an enormous hit, and I felt a bit winded initially. I’m OK however sadly the automobile wasn’t. I’m not positive what occurred. I became the nook, making an attempt to chop the road equally to how I did in FP1. I’m unsure whether or not it was the kerb or the automobile bottoming out however it bounced a bit of and, earlier than I had an opportunity to catch it, I used to be already within the wall.

“There’s loads of work on for the staff within the storage in a single day now, sadly. It does really feel like it’s one factor after one other in the mean time. It’s irritating as we had been robust in FP1 and topped the instances. We misplaced out on loads of laps in FP2 so FP3 can be necessary for us to get the automobile in an excellent place forward of Qualifying and Sunday’s race.”

Kimi Antonelli – FP1: 1:19.200, P12

“I needed to ship a clear FP1 session for the staff at the moment and I used to be happy that I used to be ready to do this. It was my first time driving the circuit right here, so I stayed very a lot inside the restrict and simply constructed my confidence lap-by-lap. Total, it was a good hour, and, regardless of the crimson flags, we gathered a lot of knowledge that may hopefully assist the staff over the remainder of the weekend.

“I used to be additionally in a position to construct my understanding of the W15 too. We ran each the Arduous and Mushy compound and it was good to get a combination of consecutive working and single lap work accomplished. While there aren’t any extra FP1 periods for me to participate on this yr, I’m wanting ahead to persevering with my programme with earlier vehicles as we construct in direction of 2025.”

Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director

“FP1 ran easily with Kimi doing a stable job as he stepped in for his second rookie session, this time alongside George. We had a busy programme to get via and, regardless of the interruption of two crimson flags, had been in a position to full nearly all of it. George in the meantime hit the bottom working and felt notably comfy on the Mushy tyre, topping the instances on the finish of the hour. With the mandated Pirelli tyre check for FP2, we knew how necessary getting good FP1 working could be.

“That turned much more true as George was unlucky to lose the automobile at flip eight early within the prolonged FP2 session. It was a hefty shunt; thankfully, he was OK however the automobile fared much less properly. It has given us a good quantity of labor to do to get the automobile prepared for FP3 and we’re already working via that. Lewis loved a happier session and was comfy with the automobile, though a bit annoyed that the tyre check meant he had no alternative to work on the setup.”