F1 2026: Kimi Antonelli reports sick ahead of momentous Mexico weekend

Kimi Antonelli can become Formula One’s youngest ‌champion if he finishes in the top ⁠nine at the Mexico City Grand Prix. | Photo Credit: AP

Kimi Antonelli was excused from media duties ​on Thursday with the Mercedes ‌driver feeling unwell ahead of ​a Mexico City Grand ⁠Prix weekend that is set to make him Formula One’s youngest ‌champion.

The team said the 20-year-old Italian was recovering ‌from a viral illness and “feeling ‌under ⁠the weather”.

“As a precaution, ⁠the FIA have 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 ‌spokeswoman said.

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Antonelli will be champion ​on Sunday if he finishes in the top ⁠nine at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Sunday, even if ‌his closest rival and teammate, George Russell, wins the race. The Italian, who won in Texas last weekend, has a 123-point lead with five races ‌and a maximum of 125 points remaining.

Cadillac’s ​Valtteri Bottas was also feeling unwell and taking a ⁠day of rest.

“This is a ⁠precautionary measure and does not currently affect his participation ‌in the remainder of the race weekend,” the team ​said.;