Championship leader Kimi Antonelli is set to miss media day ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix on Thursday due to an illness. Mercedes has confirmed that the Italian driver is feeling ‘under the weather’ and will not be available for the media sessions in Mexico City.
A statement from the German team has also confirmed the outfit ‘expects Antonelli to be back tomorrow [Friday].’
Antonelli’s illness has the potential to destabilize the seemingly uncatchable driver from Bologna, who can win the 2026 Drivers’ Championship in Mexico this weekend. Antonelli needs to score just two points to claim the title if his teammate George Russell wins the race. If either Russell or Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton fails to win the race in Mexico, the youngster will automatically become the champion irrespective of his result.
Meanwhile, Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas has also pulled out of media duties on Thursday due to an illness.
Kimi Antonelli’s Teammate George Russell Will Miss FP1 at the Mexican Grand Prix
Before the revelation of Antonelli’s illness, Mercedes had already announced that its other driver, Russell, would not take part in FP1 at the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend. This is because the 29-year-old will be replaced by junior driver Frederik Vesti during the first practice session of the weekend.
The F1 regulations require each team to field a rookie on four occasions during a season, with two outings per car, unless the team has a rookie driver as its permanent seat holder in a car.
Antonelli has already given up his seat for rookie Vesti at two race weekends this year, namely the Spanish and Hungarian Grands Prix. Meanwhile, the Mexican Grand Prix will be the first time Russell will relinquish his seat. This means the Briton will have to do so once more before the end of the season.
Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff Previews the Mexican Grand Prix
Mercedes F1 CEO and team principal Toto Wolff previewed the Mexican Grand Prix, saying that the team’s mindset will not change just because both the drivers’ and the constructors’ Championships are close to concluding. The Austrian executive also spoke about Vesti, saying he is an integral part of the Mercedes setup.
“The championships are moving closer, but our mindset does not change. Thinking about the outcome won’t help us achieve it. We will stay disciplined, take each session as it comes, and concentrate on doing the fundamentals well,” said Wolff.
“That includes Fred [Vesti], who will take over George’s car for FP1. He is an important member of our team and we know we can rely on him to deliver precise, useful feedback as we work through Friday’s programme,” he added.
Antonelli leads the drivers’ standings by 123 points over Russell, while Mercedes leads the constructors’ championship by 133 points over Ferrari.
More F1 Reading
- ‘I Wish I Would Have Stayed’: Daniel Ricciardo Makes Heartfelt Confession on Red Bull Exit Before Title Streak
- Toto Wolff ‘Extremely Satisfied’ as Kimi Antonelli Silences Critics Who Were Against His F1 Entry
- Sebastian Vettel Recalls How He Got Toro Rosso Seat Despite Being Outcast by Sauber
- Lando Norris-Owned Team Gets F2 Approval, Hires Ex-Team Bosses Who Oversaw Leclerc, Piastri’s Title Win
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‘I Wish I Would Have Stayed’: Daniel Ricciardo Makes Heartfelt Confession on Red Bull Exit Before Title Streak
Toto Wolff ‘Extremely Satisfied’ as Kimi Antonelli Silences Critics Who Were Against His F1 Entry
Sebastian Vettel Recalls How He Got Toro Rosso Seat Despite Being Outcast by Sauber
Lando Norris-Owned Team Gets F2 Approval, Hires Ex-Team Bosses Who Oversaw Leclerc, Piastri’s Title Win
