Sports · Motorsport · 1 hr ago
Antonelli says title pressure and illness left him tense in Mexico qualifying
Kimi Antonelli qualified fourth for the Mexico City Grand Prix after struggling to put together a strong lap.
The Mercedes driver said he was still recovering from a fever and stomach problems earlier in the week.
He also said constant questions about the title had made him tense, though he was trying to block out the noise.
Lewis Hamilton took pole for Ferrari, ahead of Mercedes team-mate George Russell, while Antonelli saved a set of new tyres for the race.
Antonelli said Mercedes may be slower than Ferrari over race distance, but he still believes he can move forward.
He hopes for a good start and a clean passage through the tight first turn in Sunday's 71-lap race.
Kimi Antonelli said illness and pressure over the Formula 1 title left him feeling more tense than usual during Mexico City Grand Prix qualifying.
He qualified fifth and will start fourth after Max Verstappen received a one-place grid penalty.
Antonelli can secure the championship with a ninth-place finish or better in Sunday’s race.
The 20-year-old said he was still tired and low on energy after missing Thursday’s media duties because of illness.
He said he struggled to find grip and put together a clean lap in Q3.
- Who
- Kimi Antonelli, the 20-year-old Mercedes driver.
- What
- He said illness and title pressure made him tense during qualifying. He qualified fifth and will start fourth.
- When
- Saturday, October 31, 2026, during qualifying ahead of Sunday’s race.
- Where
- The Mexico City Grand Prix.
- Why
- He was recovering from an illness and felt pressure from constant talk about the title.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Antonelli missed his media duties after becoming ill with a high fever and stomach problems.
Antonelli qualified fifth for the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Verstappen received a one-place grid penalty, moving Antonelli to fourth on the starting grid.
Antonelli can clinch the championship by finishing ninth or higher.
- Driver
- Kimi Antonelli
- Age
- 20
- Qualifying position
- Fifth; starts fourth after Verstappen’s one-place penalty
- Title condition
- Ninth place or better secures the championship
- Illness
- High fever and stomach problems on Thursday
- Location
- Mexico City Grand Prix
5 sources
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What people are saying
I feel very tired to be fair; I still haven't recovered completely
Very bad. I had a high fever and stomach problems, so it hasn't been easy.
But it hasn't been easy, and definitely I've been a bit more tense today.
It was a poor lap, many mistakes here and there. Overall, still P4 and a lot to play for tomorrow.