News Summary
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli missed Mexican Grand Prix media day with a viral illness, but Mercedes expects the championship leader to return for Friday practice as he closes in on his first Formula 1 title.
- Fernando Alonso has renewed his criticism of driving standards following his Austin collision with Alex Albon, prompting a response from the Williams driver ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix.
- Sergio Pérez returns to his home Grand Prix with Cadillac still searching for its first championship points, while teams prepare for the opening practice sessions at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Formula 1 heads into the opening day of the Mexican Grand Prix on Friday (October 30) with Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s health among the main talking points. The Mercedes driver missed Thursday’s media activities because of a viral illness, but the team expects him to return for practice as he attempts to secure the 2026 World Championship. Valtteri Bottas also missed media day through illness, although Cadillac has not announced any change to his participation in the weekend.
Elsewhere, Fernando Alonso has stood by his criticism of driving standards after colliding with Alex Albon at the United States Grand Prix, while the Williams driver has responded without withdrawing his respect for the two-time champion. Sergio Pérez also faces an unusual homecoming with Cadillac, and fans across the world are preparing for Friday’s two practice sessions. Here are the latest Formula 1 stories from GRANDE PRÊMIO.
Antonelli and Bottas miss Mexico media day through illness
Andrea Kimi Antonelli was absent from Thursday’s mandatory media activities in Mexico City after Mercedes confirmed that the 20-year-old was recovering from a viral illness.
The FIA granted the championship leader permission to miss his scheduled duties, allowing him additional time to rest before Friday’s first practice session.
Mercedes said it expected Antonelli to return on Friday. The team did not announce that he would miss practice, qualifying or Sunday’s Grand Prix.
The illness comes at a significant moment in the championship. Antonelli leads Mercedes teammate George Russell by 123 points and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton by 124, needing only a ninth-place finish on Sunday to secure his first World Championship.
Valtteri Bottas also missed Thursday’s media commitments, with Cadillac allowing the Finn to rest because he was unwell.
The American team described the decision as precautionary and said his participation in the remainder of the weekend was not currently affected.
Bottas was already scheduled to give up his car to Colton Herta during FP1, with the Finnish driver expected to return for FP2.
Read the full story: Antonelli and Bottas miss Mexican GP media day through illness ahead of F1 title showdown
Can Antonelli become champion without scoring in Mexico?
Antonelli’s illness has raised questions about what would happen to the championship if the Italian failed to score points in Mexico.
The mathematics show that he could still become World Champion without taking part in Sunday’s race.
Antonelli has 365 points, compared with Russell’s 242 and Hamilton’s 241.
If the Mercedes driver finishes outside the points or does not race, neither Russell nor Hamilton can keep the title battle alive without winning the Mexican Grand Prix.
A victory would allow Russell to reach 267 points, leaving him 98 behind Antonelli with 100 still available across the final four races.
Hamilton would reach 266 points with victory, reducing his deficit to 99.
However, if neither challenger wins, Antonelli’s existing advantage will be sufficient to secure the championship regardless of his own result.
The Italian can avoid relying on his rivals entirely by finishing ninth or better.
Mercedes has not indicated that Antonelli will miss Sunday’s race, and the team expects him back for Friday’s activities.
Read the full story: Can ill Antonelli win F1 title in Mexico without racing or scoring points?
Alonso refuses to withdraw criticism of F1 drivers after Albon collision
Fernando Alonso has reaffirmed his criticism of driving standards among some Formula 1 competitors following his first-lap collision with Alex Albon at the United States Grand Prix.
The Aston Martin driver considered Albon’s manoeuvre at Turn 11 unnecessary and blamed the incident for damaging his car during a race in which he believed points were possible.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS in Mexico, Alonso clarified that his criticism was not aimed at a specific number of drivers or a precisely defined section of the grid.
However, he maintained his assessment of the incidents he has witnessed while competing towards the back of the field.
Alonso suggested that drivers who considered themselves the targets of his remarks could draw their own conclusions.
He also questioned whether some competitors were satisfied with repeated collisions rather than demonstrating the performances required to earn opportunities with leading teams.
The two-time World Champion acknowledged that less competitive cars are more difficult to control, but argued that this does not explain every avoidable first-lap incident.
He also raised the cost of repairing damaged components under Formula 1’s spending cap.
Read the full story: Alonso stands by F1 driver criticism after Albon clash: ‘We all know who we’re talking about’
Albon hits back at Alonso but maintains respect
Alex Albon has responded to Alonso’s criticism ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, rejecting the Spaniard’s assessment of driving standards while maintaining his respect for the Aston Martin driver.
The Williams competitor believes the Austin collision was a racing incident involving several cars fighting for position at Turn 11.
Albon explained that he had committed to the inside line while Alonso was also involved in a battle with other drivers.
As the available space narrowed, the Williams driver attempted to avoid contact but was unable to prevent the collision.
Both cars sustained damage.
Alonso believes the manoeuvre was unnecessary, while Albon maintains that the incident should be understood in the context of a congested opening lap.
Despite their disagreement, Albon has spoken positively about racing against the two-time World Champion.
The drivers will return to the same grid in Mexico, where Williams and Aston Martin continue fighting for positions in the Constructors’ Championship.
Read the full story: Albon hits back at Alonso’s F1 criticism and hopes to avoid another Mexico clash
Pérez returns to Mexico with Cadillac still without F1 points
Sergio Pérez is preparing for his home Grand Prix in a different competitive position from previous seasons.
The Mexican driver returns to Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez with Cadillac, Formula 1’s newest team, which has yet to score a championship point during its debut campaign.
Cadillac has completed 18 Grands Prix without finishing in the top ten.
Pérez has also remained outside the points, with 14th place his best classified race finish of the season.
The home event nevertheless provides the 36-year-old with an opportunity to compete in front of the Mexican supporters who followed his previous campaigns with Red Bull and other teams.
Cadillac continues developing its first Formula 1 chassis while preparing for its longer-term future in the championship.
The team has also confirmed Colton Herta for Friday’s opening practice session, when the American will replace Bottas.
Pérez, meanwhile, is expected to complete the regular race-weekend programme as he attempts to deliver Cadillac’s first points at his home Grand Prix.
Read the full story: Pérez’s homecoming comes with an unfamiliar challenge: Cadillac still has no F1 points
Mexican GP practice begins today with rookie opportunities
Formula 1 returns to the track on Friday with two one-hour practice sessions at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
FP1 begins at 12:30pm local time, followed by FP2 at 4:00pm.
Several regular drivers will sit out the opening session as teams give reserve and junior drivers opportunities to collect official mileage.
Mercedes has selected Frederik Vesti in place of Russell, while Cadillac will field Herta instead of Bottas.
Williams will run Luke Browning in Alex Albon’s car, Alpine has selected Gabriele Minì to replace Franco Colapinto, and Aston Martin will give Jak Crawford an outing in place of Lance Stroll.
Audi will field Freddie Slater instead of Gabriel Bortoleto, while Racing Bulls has announced Nikola Tsolov for an FP1 appearance.
The sessions will also provide an opportunity for teams to assess the effects of Mexico City’s altitude, with the circuit located approximately 2,240 metres above sea level.
The thinner air creates challenges for engine cooling, aerodynamic performance and energy management under the 2026 technical regulations.
British viewers can watch FP1 from 6:30pm GMT and FP2 from 10:00pm GMT.
In the United States, FP1 begins at 2:30pm EDT and FP2 at 6:00pm EDT.
Read the full story: Is there F1 practice today? Mexico City GP FP1 and FP2 start times in the UK
What time is the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend?
The Mexican Grand Prix takes place from October 30 to November 1.
| Session | Mexico City (CST) | UK (GMT) | US Eastern |
|---|---|---|---|
| FP1 — Friday | 12:30pm | 6:30pm | 2:30pm EDT |
| FP2 — Friday | 4:00pm | 10:00pm | 6:00pm EDT |
| FP3 — Saturday | 11:30am | 5:30pm | 1:30pm EDT |
| Qualifying — Saturday | 3:00pm | 9:00pm | 5:00pm EDT |
| Race — Sunday | 2:00pm | 8:00pm | 3:00pm EST |
The United States changes from daylight saving time to standard time early on Sunday, November 1, which affects the Eastern Time designation for the race.
The 71-lap Mexican Grand Prix will be held at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its Formula 1 section.
