Kimi Antonelli excused from media duties in Mexico City as F1 crown looms
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli was excused on Thursday from mandatory media commitments at the Mexico City Grand Prix after reporting a viral illness, ahead of a weekend in which he could become Formula One's youngest-ever world champion. The 20-year-old Italian was allowed to rest after feeling unwell and Mercedes said the FIA had granted the exemption as a precaution.
Antonelli had been scheduled to meet the media on Thursday but did not attend after reporting that he was feeling unwell. Mercedes confirmed he was recovering from a viral illness and that the FIA had excused him from his media duties as a precaution. "Kimi is feeling under the weather today as he recovers from a viral illness. As a precaution, the FIA has excused him from his mandatory media duties to give him the chance to rest ahead of the weekend. We expect him to be back tomorrow," a Mercedes spokesperson said.
Fresh from winning the United States Grand Prix in Austin last weekend, Antonelli arrives in Mexico City on the brink of a maiden world championship. He holds a 123-point lead over teammate and closest title rival George Russell, with five races remaining and a maximum of 125 points still available.
Antonelli needs to finish ninth or higher at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Sunday to seal the championship, even if Russell wins the race. That scenario would deliver the title without requiring any other results.
If he clinches the title, Antonelli will become the youngest world champion in Formula One history, breaking Sebastian Vettel's record. The German won his maiden championship in 2010, aged 23 years and 134 days, and Antonelli could also become the first Italian to win the drivers' championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Antonelli has won nine races this season, including last Sunday's triumph in Austin, and is contesting his second Formula One season after making his debut with Mercedes in 2025. His recent results have left him in a position to secure the championship before the season concludes.
Antonelli was not the only driver to miss Thursday's media commitments due to illness. Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas was also unwell and was given a day of rest; the team said his absence was a precautionary measure and would not currently affect his participation in the remainder of the race weekend.
Mercedes will hope Antonelli recovers in time for Friday's practice sessions. He prepares for what could be a landmark weekend in Formula One history.