Antonelli Misses Mexico Media Day With Illness, Title Still Within Reach
Kimi Antonelli will miss Thursday's Mexico City Grand Prix media day because of a viral illness, Mercedes said. The Italian is expected back on Friday, and he is on the brink of his first Formula 1 world title.
The FIA, the sport's governing body, excused him from Thursday's media duties as a precaution, to give him rest before the weekend. Mercedes said it expects him to be back for Friday's first practice session, which starts at 18:30 GMT. Practice is the unofficial running that teams use to set up their cars.
The title maths is simple to state. Antonelli will seal the championship if he loses no more than two points to George Russell, and no more than one point to Lewis Hamilton, in Sunday's grand prix. Points are the scoring currency of the championship, and each finishing place earns a set number of them. Losing points here means finishing behind a rival by enough to shrink his lead.
Only a win by Russell or Hamilton can stop him in Mexico. Ninth place would be enough for Antonelli if Russell wins, and 10th place would be enough if Hamilton wins. Win the title and he becomes the youngest champion in the sport's history.
He arrives at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez with momentum. Antonelli won the Texas Grand Prix the weekend before, and a title would make him Italy's first Formula One champion in 73 years, according to Reuters.
Antonelli is not the only driver missing Thursday's media day. Valtteri Bottas will also skip it, because of illness. Cadillac said the Finn is unwell and has been given a day of rest as a precaution. The team also said the illness does not currently affect his participation for the rest of the weekend.
Cadillac has also moved to settle its line-up. It announced a new contract that keeps Sergio Perez with the team until at least 2029. Colton Herta, the American driver, will take part in his fifth practice outing of the year on Friday.
For fans, the next three days carry the whole story. Friday's practice sessions will show who has the pace in Mexico City's thin air. Sunday's race will decide whether Antonelli wraps up the title, or whether the fight goes on.
