Kimi Antonelli admitted he was feeling “more tense than usual” ahead of his attempt to seal the Formula One world championship at the Mexico Grand Prix on Sunday.
The 20-year-old needs to finish ninth to become the sport’s youngest world champion.
Antonelli qualified fifth on Saturday but will start fourth on the grid due to Max Verstappen’s penalty.
Speaking after the session, the Italian revealed he was not feeling well as he continues to recover from an illness that caused him to miss media duties on Thursday.
he said Sky Sports F1: “It wasn’t the easiest weekend to be fair.
“Of course, I still don’t feel 100 percent. There is talk about what could happen [with the championship] and sure enough, I’m a little more tense than usual.
“Of course I don’t feel very well, but I’m trying to sleep well tonight and focus on tomorrow.”
Despite his condition, Antonelli managed a decent final lap in qualifying as he finished two tenths clear of pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton.
However, the fact that team-mate George Russell was only marginally behind Hamilton perhaps reflected the Italian’s inability to muster his best.
Antonelli added: “I struggled to get a good feel from the tires in Q3. I just didn’t have a lot of confidence. I was a bit tense, I’m not going to lie.
“It was a poor lap, a lot of mistakes here and there. Overall, we still have a lot to play for P4 and tomorrow.”
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Kimi Antonelli admitted he felt “a bit stressed” after qualifying only fifth for the Mexico Grand Prix.
‘This is madness!’ – Norris is happy to hand over No. 1 to Antonelli
Lando Norris says he is more than happy to hand over the number one he got at McLaren this year to Antonelli when the Mercedes driver replaces him as world champion.
Antonelli exceeded expectations in his second season in Formula 1, comprehensively outclassing Russell, who started the year as the clear title favourite.
“He did an incredible job and he did it in a pretty incredible way,” Norris said of the race weekend in Mexico.
“People are saying he doesn’t have any tough competition this year. That’s proof that he’s doing such an incredible job.
“He’s got a very, very talented teammate that he’s been beating all season.
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As Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli moves closer to winning the 2026 Formula 1 championship, the rest of the grid is giving its verdict on the Italian’s season.
“I have nothing but respect for Kimi. He’s a great guy. We get on really well and I’m very happy to pass the No. 1 to him.
“He deserves it. He’s done an incredible job, especially in his second year in Formula 1. The youngest world champion, it’s pretty crazy.
“I enjoy seeing other people succeed like that. It’s great to see.”
Sky Sports F1 live Mexico City GP schedule
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Take a look at the most dramatic moments from the Mexico City Grand Prix
Sunday, November 1
18:30: Grand Prix Sunday: Mexico City GP build-up
20:00: MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX*
22:00: Checkered Flag: Mexico City GP reaction
11:00 p.m.: Ted’s notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Mexico City, where Kimi Antonelli can win the Drivers’ Championship live on Sky Sports F1 at 8pm on Sunday (set from 6.30pm). Stream Sky Sports NOW – no contract, cancel whenever you want