Sports · Motorsport · 3 hrs ago
Antonelli misses Mexico GP media day with viral illness
Kimi Antonelli missed Thursday's media day before the Mexico City Grand Prix because he is recovering from a viral illness.
The 20-year-old Italian drives for Mercedes, and the team says it expects him back on Friday.
He can become Formula 1's youngest world champion if he finishes Sunday's race ninth or higher.
If he scores no points, he can still take the title if neither teammate George Russell nor Lewis Hamilton wins.
Antonelli has won nine races this season and is in his second year in Formula 1.
The title would break Sebastian Vettel's age record by more than three years.
The Mexico race could decide the championship, though Antonelli would have further chances in Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi if he does not win it there.
Valtteri Bottas of Cadillac also missed media day because he was unwell, but his team said this does not currently affect his participation in the rest of the weekend.
Kimi Antonelli will miss Thursday’s Mexico City Grand Prix media day because he is recovering from a viral illness.
The FIA excused the Mercedes driver from his media duties so he could rest before the race weekend.
Mercedes said it expected Antonelli to return on Friday.
Antonelli, 20, can secure his first Formula 1 world title with a ninth-place finish or higher in Sunday’s race.
Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas will also miss media day because he is unwell.
- Who
- Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes driver, will miss media day. Valtteri Bottas of Cadillac will also be absent.
- What
- Antonelli is missing his media duties while recovering from a viral illness.
- When
- Thursday, October 29, 2026. Mercedes expected him back on Friday.
- Where
- The Mexico City Grand Prix, at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
- Why
- Antonelli is recovering from a viral illness and was excused by the FIA to rest.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Antonelli replaced Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes after Hamilton joined Ferrari.
Antonelli won nine races and moved close to securing the championship.
Antonelli and Bottas missed Mexico City Grand Prix media day because they were unwell.
Practice sessions were scheduled, and Mercedes expected Antonelli to return.
Antonelli could secure the title with a ninth-place finish or higher.
- Age
- Antonelli is 20.
- Team
- Antonelli drives for Mercedes.
- Illness
- Mercedes described Antonelli’s condition as a viral illness.
- Title threshold
- Ninth place or higher in Sunday’s race would secure Antonelli the title.
- Other absent driver
- Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac.
- Antonelli’s 2026 wins
- Nine
3 sources
What people are saying
feeling under the weather
We expect him to be back tomorrow
finish on a high
The team has taken the decision to allow him a day of rest, to support his recovery.