Motorsports

Antonelli falls ill ahead of title bid

Published

18 minutes ago

October 30, 2026

Kimi Antonelli’s bid to become Formula One’s youngest world champion faced an unexpected setback Thursday after illness forced the Mercedes driver to miss his media duties ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 25: Race winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 25, 2026 in Austin, Texas. Clive Mason)

The 20-year-old Italian was excused from scheduled appearances at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez after coming down with a viral illness, leaving him to rest ahead of a weekend that could deliver his first world title.

Mercedes said Antonelli had been excused by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) as a precaution.

“We expect him to be back tomorrow,” the team said.

Antonelli enters Sunday’s race with a 123-point lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell and a 124-point advantage over Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 25: Race winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy driving the (12) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W17 takes the chequered flag during the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 25, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Mark Thompson)

A ninth-place finish or better will secure the championship regardless of his rivals’ results, making him the youngest Formula One world champion and the first Italian to claim the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

Antonelli could also clinch the title without scoring if neither Russell nor Hamilton wins the race.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 25: Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy driving the (12) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W17 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 25, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by CLIVE MASON)

The illness interrupted what would normally have been a busy Thursday for the championship leader as drivers faced reporters ahead of Friday’s practice sessions.

Antonelli was not the only driver sidelined. Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas was also absent because of illness, with the American team saying it had given the Finn a day of rest to help his recovery.

Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti would be the likely replacement if Antonelli is unable to race. The Dane has already completed six Formula One practice sessions with the team and would make his Grand Prix debut if called up.

Vesti is scheduled to drive Russell’s car in opening practice on Friday.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff urged his team to maintain its usual approach as it closes in on the drivers’ championship and continues its pursuit of the constructors’ crown.

“The championships are moving closer, but our mindset does not change,” Wolff said.

“Thinking about the outcome won’t help us achieve it. We will stay disciplined, take each session as it comes and concentrate on doing all the fundamentals well.”

Wolff said Vesti’s Friday appearance would also be important as Mercedes works through its practice program at the high-altitude Mexico City circuit.

Mercedes’ Italian driver Kimi Antonelli races during the qualifying session for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on October 24, 2026. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS)

Cadillac has Zhou Guanyu available as reserve should Bottas be unable to compete. American Colton Herta is also scheduled to drive in opening practice as Cadillac continues to assess him for a possible race seat next season.

Antonelli enters the weekend after winning the United States Grand Prix in Austin, his ninth victory of the season.

His commanding championship lead gives him the opportunity to settle the title race on Sunday, provided he recovers sufficiently to compete.