Mercedes Shows Promise with Friday Pace
George Russell has his sights set high this weekend at Imola. After a pair of solid free practice sessions on Friday, the Mercedes driver made it clear he is aiming to be part of the pole position conversation come Saturday.
Clocking the fourth-fastest time in both FP1 and FP2, Russell emerged as one of the strongest contenders behind the leading McLarens. While Mercedes might not be the outright favorite at this technical and unforgiving Italian circuit, Russell’s confidence in the car and the track itself paints a picture of a team quietly building momentum.
“It’s great to be back in Imola,” Russell said with a smile when speaking to reporters after the second practice. “This is definitely one of my favorite tracks. It’s old-school. The layout has such a great mix — you’ve got low, medium, and high-speed corners, and very little room for error. You’ve got to commit if you want to put in a fast lap.”
Technical Upgrades Paying Off
Mercedes came to Imola with a batch of technical upgrades designed to improve overall balance and performance, especially through the medium-speed sections. While it’s too early to say whether these changes have completely altered the trajectory of their season, the initial signs were certainly positive on Friday.
Russell seemed pleased with the updates, describing the car as “more responsive” and “more predictable,” particularly in sector two, which includes the tricky Acque Minerali and Variante Alta complexes.
“We knew McLaren would be quick here — they’ve been rapid in recent races, and that carried through today. But we’re not far off, and that’s encouraging. If we can find a few tenths overnight, I think we’re genuinely in the mix for pole.”
Qualifying the Key at Tight Imola Circuit
With overtaking notoriously difficult at Imola, grid position is crucial. Drivers have stressed all weekend that qualifying well on Saturday could be the difference between fighting for a podium and struggling in the midfield train. Russell echoed that sentiment:
“Saturday is all about putting everything together. You’ve got to nail every apex, every braking zone. There’s no room for mistakes. Our goal is clear: we want to fight for pole.”
Russell also emphasized the need for overnight work with his engineers to maximize the potential of the W15. “We’re going to study the data, see where we can extract more. I think there’s more to come. If we get it right, we’ll be right up there and enjoying every bit of it.”
Antonelli’s Learning Curve Continues
On the other side of the garage, young Kimi Antonelli is still adjusting to life in Formula 1. The Italian rookie ended the day 18th on the time sheets, a result that reflects his inexperience more than any inherent flaw in the machinery.
“It wasn’t my cleanest session,” Antonelli admitted. “I struggled to hook up the lap — a couple of errors here and there, and the grip wasn’t ideal on the soft tyres. We were running the C6 compound, and I just couldn’t get it to work the way I wanted.”
Despite the one-lap challenges, Antonelli did find some encouragement in race trim. “On the longer runs, the car felt pretty good. We’ve got decent balance overall, so that gives me something to build on for Saturday and Sunday.”
Home Crowd a Boost for Antonelli
Racing at home in front of packed grandstands clearly means something to the young Italian. “On the out-lap this morning, I looked up and saw the fans — it was amazing to see the stands so full,” he said. “That gives you an extra bit of energy. But when the visor comes down, I’m just focused on the job in front of me.”
Antonelli’s maturity and focus have drawn praise within the paddock. While no one expects miracles overnight, his progress continues to be closely watched — not least because he’s seen as a future leader for Mercedes.
What to Watch Heading Into Saturday
The battle for pole in Imola is shaping up to be a thriller. McLaren may still have the edge over a single lap, but Mercedes — and George Russell in particular — seem determined to crash the party. The W15 might not be the fastest car outright, but it’s beginning to show signs of real improvement.
If Russell and the team can squeeze out just a little more performance overnight, don’t be surprised to see the Briton lining up on the front row — or maybe even taking his second career pole.
As for Antonelli, he’ll be hoping for a cleaner run in FP3 and a chance to put his talent on display for the home fans. Imola is a circuit that rewards bravery and precision — two things Antonelli has in spades, even if Friday didn’t fully show it.
So yes, Mercedes may not have walked away from Friday with headlines — but their quiet confidence could speak volumes when it matters most.
