The short version
- Kimi Antonelli has been excused from media obligations in Mexico City due to a viral illness, with teams expecting his return for Friday practice.
- The Italian driver holds a 123-point advantage over George Russell and requires only a ninth-place finish if his teammate wins to claim the title.
- Cadillac teammate Valtteri Bottas also missed media duties, while the team evaluates whether to promote reserve driver Colton Herta for the 2027 season.
Kimi Antonelli will not participate in Thursday’s media activities ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix, citing a viral illness that has prompted his Mercedes team to prioritize his recovery. The governing body, the FIA, granted the exemption as a precautionary measure, allowing the Italian driver to rest before the weekend’s competitive sessions begin. A spokesperson for Mercedes indicated that Antonelli is expected to return to full duties by Friday, when practice sessions commence at 18:30 GMT. This absence comes at a critical juncture in the season, with Antonelli positioned on the verge of securing his first world championship.
The stakes for Sunday’s race are mathematically clear for the Mercedes driver. Antonelli currently leads his teammate George Russell by 123 points in the drivers’ standings. To clinch the title and become the youngest champion in Formula One history, he needs to finish no worse than ninth if Russell wins the race. If Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton were to take victory, a tenth-place finish would suffice for Antonelli to seal the crown. The only scenario that prevents an immediate championship celebration is if either Russell or Hamilton wins while Antonelli loses more than two points to Russell or one point to Hamilton.
While Antonelli’s situation is focused on recovery and title consolidation, another driver has also stepped away from media engagements for health reasons. Valtteri Bottas, driving for Cadillac, was similarly excused from Thursday’s obligations after being described as unwell by his team. Cadillac officials stated that this decision was made to support his recovery and does not currently impact his participation in the remainder of the race weekend. The team emphasized that they are monitoring his condition closely and will provide further updates if necessary.
Bottas’ absence coincides with significant personnel developments within the Cadillac squad. Earlier in the week, the team announced a contract extension for Sergio Perez, securing his seat through at least 2029. However, the announcement made no reference to Bottas’ future beyond the current season. Insiders suggest that Cadillac is actively considering promoting their American reserve driver, Colton Herta, to partner with Perez in 2027. This potential move would mark a significant shift for the team as they look to build a competitive lineup for the coming years.
Herta’s path to a full-time seat involves accumulating sufficient experience and points to secure a super license, which is mandatory for Formula One competition. He is scheduled to take part in Friday’s practice sessions at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, marking his fifth outing of the year. These appearances are crucial for him to gain the necessary mileage and demonstrate his capabilities in a high-pressure environment. The team views these opportunities as essential steps toward validating his readiness for a permanent role.
Herta’s journey to this point has been marked by mixed results. Previously a front-runner in the US-based Indycar championship, he transitioned to Formula Two this year with the explicit goal of preparing for a move to F1. His season in the feeder series has not gone as planned, leaving him 19th in the standings with a best result of fifth place. Despite these struggles in Formula Two, Cadillac believes he has shown greater potential during his limited runs in Formula One machinery.
The team’s assessment of Herta is based on his performance in various test sessions, which have included runs in cars from previous years. These outings have provided valuable data and insight into his adaptability and speed relative to current competitors. While no final decision has been made regarding the 2027 lineup, the fact that Herta is being given track time during a Grand Prix weekend underscores the seriousness with which Cadillac is treating his candidacy.
The contrast between Antonelli’s imminent championship glory and Bottas’ uncertain future highlights the diverse narratives unfolding at the Mexico City event. For Mercedes, the focus remains on managing Antonelli’s health to ensure he can capitalize on his substantial points lead. For Cadillac, the weekend serves as both a recovery period for Bottas and a critical evaluation window for Herta. The outcome of these parallel storylines will have lasting implications for the teams’ strategies in the final stages of the season and beyond.
As the weekend progresses, attention will shift from media obligations to on-track performance. Antonelli’s ability to manage his illness while maintaining focus on a relatively conservative race strategy will be key. Meanwhile, Cadillac’s decision to field Herta in practice sessions signals their intent to gather as much data as possible before making a final call on their 2027 roster. The coming days will determine not only the championship winner but also the future composition of one of the sport’s emerging teams.
The broader context of these developments reflects the intense physical and mental demands placed on drivers during the Formula One calendar. Illnesses, while common, can disrupt momentum at crucial moments in the season. For Antonelli, a minor setback could have significant consequences if it affects his concentration or physical readiness for Sunday’s race. For Bottas and Herta, the situation underscores the competitive pressure within teams to identify and develop talent capable of sustaining long-term success in the sport.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Antonelli to miss Mexico media day with illness
