What the teams said – Friday in Canada

Mercedes showed promising pace during Friday's practice sessions for the Canadian Grand Prix, with George Russell topping FP2 and Kimi Antonelli impressing in third. Russell, who finished P4 in FP1, felt the cooler temperatures and smoother tarmac at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve suited their car, allowing him to optimize its performance. He acknowledges that their strong showing might be slightly flattering but hopes to remain competitive. Antonelli, making his debut at this circuit, adapted quickly despite initial struggles with grip and tire warm-up. He improved significantly, particularly with the C6 tire, and his P3 finish in FP2 bodes well for Mercedes' qualifying prospects. Both drivers and the team expressed optimism, noting the car felt more 'connected' and had a solid baseline for the weekend, although they anticipate a tight battle at the front.