Antonelli and Bottas Cleared for Mexico City Practice After Illness

Kimi Antonelli and Valtteri Bottas have been cleared to take part in Friday practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix after illness forced both to miss Thursday media duties. Mercedes said Antonelli, who can clinch the title this weekend, has recovered from a viral illness in time for FP1. Cadillac confirmed Bottas will return for FP2 after medical assessment.

Why it matters:

Thursday media duties are mandatory, so absences raise immediate fitness questions. FIA rules require any unwell driver to be assessed by team medical staff and signed off by the FIA Medical Delegate before driving. Both have now completed that process, avoiding a disruption to the weekend.

The details:

• Mercedes called Antonelli’s absence precautionary and said he is “all good” for Friday running.
• Bottas was given a rest day by Cadillac after feeling unwell; no diagnosis was disclosed.
• The Finn will resume in FP2, with Cadillac using FP1 to give Colton Herta the laps needed to complete his FIA Super Licence requirements.
• Neither illness is understood to carry lasting fitness concerns, though exact symptoms remain unclear.

What’s next:

FP1 will test Antonelli’s condition as he chases a title opportunity, while Bottas’s FP2 return will be watched for lingering effects. With both cleared, attention returns to the track.