Ill Kimi Antonelli misses media duties before Mexico Grand Prix
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on TimesLIVE
Italian Formula 1 driver Kimi Antonelli, who leads the championship, was excused from his media duties in Mexico City because of a viral illness. He could secure the title on Sunday by finishing in the top nine, even if his team-mate George Russell wins the race, Reuters reports.
Kimi Antonelli, the Italian Mercedes Formula 1 driver, was excused from his media duties on Thursday ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix as he recovered from a viral illness. The FIA granted him the day off as a precaution, Mercedes told Reuters.
The team expects the 20-year-old driver to resume his activities on Friday. Antonelli could become the youngest Formula 1 world champion on Sunday: finishing in the top nine would secure the title, even if his team-mate and rival George Russell won the race. He has a 123-point lead, with five races and a maximum of 125 points still available, after his victory in Texas last weekend.
Valtteri Bottas, the Cadillac driver, was also unwell and rested on Thursday. Cadillac said the precautionary measure did not, at this stage, compromise his participation in the rest of the race weekend.
The situation comes after Antonelli’s victory at the United States Grand Prix, held on 25 October, as he pursues the world title, as reported in our 26 October article on his championship challenge.
