Antonelli admits to 'more tense than usual' ahead of title-clinching Mexico City GP

Kimi Antonelli has admitted to feeling "more tense than usual" ahead of Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix, where he can clinch the 2026 Formula 1 world championship. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver needs only to finish ninth to become the sport's youngest-ever champion, but he is still recovering from an illness that forced him to skip media duties on Thursday.

Why it matters:

Antonelli's unexpected rise has reshaped the title fight. In just his second F1 season, he has comprehensively outperformed teammate George Russell, who began the year as the clear favourite. A title win would mark a historic shift in F1's competitive order and cement Antonelli's status as a generational talent.

The details:

• Antonelli qualified fifth on Saturday but will start fourth after a penalty for Max Verstappen. He finished within two tenths of pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton but described his final lap as "poor" with "many mistakes."
• "I struggled to get a good feeling from the tyres in Q3," he said. "I just didn't have the most confidence. I was a bit tense, I am not going to lie."
• Lando Norris, the outgoing champion, said he is "more than happy" to pass the No. 1 to Antonelli. "He's done an incredible job and done it in a pretty incredible way," Norris said. "He deserves it. Youngest world champion, it's pretty insane."

What's next:

Antonelli will try to secure the title in Sunday's race (8pm UK time, live on Sky Sports F1). Despite his illness and tense demeanour, a ninth-place finish should be achievable. But with Verstappen starting behind him and the pressure of a first championship, the young Italian will need to manage his nerves and deliver a clean drive.