Antonelli misses Mexico GP media day while recovering from illness

Kimi Antonelli was absent from Thursday’s Mexico Grand Prix media activities after falling ill, with Mercedes saying the championship leader is recovering from a viral illness. The FIA excused him from his scheduled media duties, and the team said it expected him to return on Friday.

The absence comes as Antonelli approaches a chance to secure his first Formula 1 title. He could become the youngest world champion, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s 2010 record by more than three years. A ninth-place finish on Sunday would be enough for Antonelli to clinch the championship; alternatively, neither George Russell nor Lewis Hamilton can win.

The title scenario has drawn attention to Antonelli’s place in the season, including Kimi Räikkönen’s backing for him to become the youngest champion.

Mercedes expects Antonelli back on Friday

Mercedes described Antonelli as feeling under the weather while recovering from the viral illness. The team’s stated expectation is that he will return the following day, but the source did not report any change to his participation beyond Thursday’s media commitments.

If a substitute were needed, Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti would be the option. The 2023 Formula 2 runner-up has yet to start a Grand Prix, and is scheduled to make his seventh career Free Practice 1 appearance this weekend in Russell’s car.

Antonelli’s illness is a new variable in a weekend carrying major title stakes. It follows earlier attention on his progress at Mercedes, including Toto Wolff’s comments about Antonelli’s flat-out approach.

Bottas also sits out Thursday media duties

Valtteri Bottas also missed media day after reporting sick, Cadillac said. The team gave him a day of rest to support his recovery and described the move as precautionary. It said his participation in the rest of the race weekend was not currently affected, adding that it would continue to monitor his condition.

Cadillac’s reserve driver is Zhou Guanyu, who scored points seven times in Formula 1. He could return to the grid if required, having completed a three-year spell with Alfa Romeo/Sauber at the end of 2024.

Both teams have therefore named potential replacements, but the statements indicated no current change to either driver’s plans beyond Thursday. Mercedes expects Antonelli back Friday, while Cadillac said Bottas’s participation in the remaining weekend was unaffected at this stage.