Andrea Kimi Antonelli admitted Red Bull's pace after his first-ever outing at Sepang Circuit, Malaysia, during Friday practice. The Mercedes driver labeled the RB21 as the fastest package in both qualifying simulations and long runs, though he could only manage fifth in FP1 and eighth in FP2.
Humid weather and abrasive asphalt made tyre degradation a major concern. Mercedes, relying on aerodynamic updates, struggled to find the ideal balance. George Russell was second quickest in FP1, nearly four tenths adrift of Max Verstappen, but the W16's performance dropped in the second session.
“We had a good first day here,” Antonelli said. “Sepang is fantastic to drive—fast and flowing. We completed our programme and gathered plenty of data, especially to understand the new package. But there's still a lot of work to do.”
The Bologna-born driver added that Red Bull showed strength in both areas. “Red Bull look quickest on one lap and long runs. McLaren and Ferrari are also competitive, especially on higher fuel loads. Grip was low today, but conditions should improve tomorrow.”
Russell, also a Sepang rookie, highlighted the track's unique challenges. “An amazing experience, but high temperatures and aggressive asphalt caused heavy degradation. We expected this, but tyre overheating reduces the benefits of our new aero package. We haven't found the ideal setup and will work hard tonight.”
With qualifying on Saturday, Mercedes must react quickly. Otherwise, Red Bull's dominance in Sepang could continue, while McLaren and Ferrari are ready to pounce. For Antonelli, this is a mental and technical test at a circuit that demands precision.
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