Kimi Antonelli misses Mexico media duties with viral illness

Kimi Antonelli missed Thursday's media appearances at the Mexico City Grand Prix after developing a viral illness, Mercedes said. The FIA excused the Italian driver from the mandatory commitments so he could rest before the race weekend.

A team spokesperson said the precaution was intended to support his recovery and that Mercedes expected him to return on Friday. His illness comes before a race that could deliver his first Formula One world championship.

The 20-year-old arrives in Mexico after winning in Austin at the United States Grand Prix the previous weekend. That result was his ninth victory of the season.

Title opportunity in Mexico City

Kimi Antonelli leads teammate George Russell by 123 points. With five races left and a maximum of 125 points available, he can settle the championship at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Sunday.

A finish of ninth or better would be enough for Antonelli even if Russell wins. Securing the title would make him the youngest champion in Formula One history, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's benchmark of 23 years and 134 days from 2010.

It would also end Italy's long wait for another drivers' champion. The most recent Italian winner of the championship was Alberto Ascari in 1953.

Antonelli is competing in only his second Formula One season, having joined the grid with Mercedes in 2025. His run of wins has brought him to the verge of the championship before the season's remaining races have been completed.

He was not the only driver resting on Thursday. Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas also missed his media commitments because he was unwell. His team described the absence as precautionary and said it did not, at that stage, affect plans for the rest of his weekend.

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