{"id":4608,"date":"2026-10-29T13:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T16:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=4608"},"modified":"2026-10-29T13:49:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T16:49:12","slug":"antonelli-and-bottas-miss-mexican-gp-media-day-through-illness-ahead-of-f1-title-showdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/antonelli-and-bottas-miss-mexican-gp-media-day-through-illness-ahead-of-f1-title-showdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Antonelli and Bottas miss Mexican GP media day through illness ahead of F1 title showdown"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Andrea Kimi Antonelli will miss Thursday&#8217;s Mexican Grand Prix media activities<\/strong> while recovering from a viral illness, with the FIA excusing the Mercedes driver from his mandatory duties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Valtteri Bottas has also withdrawn from media day because of illness<\/strong>, with Cadillac allowing the Finn to rest as a precaution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Neither driver has been ruled out of the Mexican Grand Prix weekend.<\/strong> Mercedes expects Antonelli back on Friday, while Cadillac says Bottas&#8217;s participation remains unaffected at present.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Valtteri Bottas will both miss Thursday&#8217;s (October 29) media activities at the 2026 Mexican Grand Prix after falling ill ahead of the Formula 1 weekend.<\/strong> Mercedes confirmed that championship leader Antonelli is recovering from a viral illness and has received permission from the FIA to skip his mandatory media commitments, while Cadillac has given Bottas a day of rest as a precaution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The news comes at a particularly important moment for Antonelli, who can secure his first Formula 1 World Championship at Aut\u00f3dromo Hermanos Rodr\u00edguez on Sunday. Mercedes expects the Italian to return on Friday, while Cadillac has stressed that Bottas&#8217;s illness does not currently affect his participation in practice, qualifying or the Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Antonelli excused from Mexico media duties by FIA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mercedes confirmed that Antonelli would not take part in Thursday&#8217;s scheduled media activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 20-year-old is recovering from a viral illness, prompting the team to seek an exemption from the FIA&#8217;s mandatory driver media requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The governing body granted the request, allowing Antonelli additional time to rest before the first official track session on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;Kimi is feeling under the weather today as he recovers from a viral illness,&#8221;<\/strong> the team explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;As a precaution, the FIA has excused him from his mandatory media duties to give him the chance to rest ahead of the weekend.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mercedes added that it expects the championship leader to return the following day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;We expect him to be back tomorrow.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The statement does not indicate that Antonelli has been declared unfit to race or that his participation in the Mexican Grand Prix is in doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, the decision is a precaution intended to support his recovery ahead of a potentially decisive weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Antonelli is just two points away from F1 World Championship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The timing of Antonelli&#8217;s illness is significant because the Italian arrives in Mexico with an opportunity to become World Champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He leads the standings with <strong>365 points<\/strong>, having won nine Grands Prix during the 2026 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mercedes teammate George Russell occupies second place with 242, while Ferrari&#8217;s Lewis Hamilton has 241.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The championship leader therefore holds advantages of 123 and 124 points respectively, with five races and a maximum of 125 points remaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Antonelli needs only ninth place in Sunday&#8217;s Mexican Grand Prix to secure the title<\/strong>, regardless of Russell&#8217;s or Hamilton&#8217;s finishing positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/what-does-andrea-kimi-antonelli-need-to-win-the-2026-f1-title-in-mexico\/\">complete mathematical scenarios for Antonelli to win the World Championship in Mexico<\/a> explain how the championship could be decided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His position was strengthened by <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/antonelli-wins-f1-united-states-gp-with-one-stop-strategy-as-russell-delays-title-celebrations\/\">victory at the United States Grand Prix in Austin<\/a>, where he converted pole position into his ninth win of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Antonelli has also indicated that he intends to retain his familiar racing number 12 in 2027, even if he becomes champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/close-to-f1-title-antonelli-reveals-which-number-he-wants-on-his-2027-mercedes\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO reported following his interview with<\/a><\/strong> <em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/close-to-f1-title-antonelli-reveals-which-number-he-wants-on-his-2027-mercedes\/\">Blick<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, the Italian prefers to continue using the number associated with his junior career and Ayrton Senna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For now, however, his immediate priority is recovering sufficiently to prepare for Friday practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cadillac confirms Bottas will also miss Thursday&#8217;s media activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bottas is facing a similar interruption to his Mexican Grand Prix preparations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cadillac confirmed that the Finnish driver would not attend Thursday&#8217;s scheduled media commitments because he is unwell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The American team decided to allow him to rest rather than continue with his usual activities at the circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;Valtteri Bottas will unfortunately be unable to attend today&#8217;s media day in Mexico City as he is unwell,&#8221;<\/strong> Cadillac said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;The team has taken the decision to allow him a day of rest, to support his recovery.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The manufacturer emphasised that the decision was precautionary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;This is a precautionary measure and does not currently affect his participation in the remainder of the race weekend.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cadillac added that it would continue monitoring Bottas&#8217;s condition and provide further updates if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike Antonelli, whose team specifically identified a viral illness, Cadillac has not disclosed the cause of Bottas&#8217;s symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is therefore no confirmed basis to assume that both drivers are suffering from the same illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-estados-unidos-austin-media-day-cadillac-valtteri-bottas-2-1024x576.png\" alt=\"F1 2026, ESTADOS UNIDOS, AUSTIN, MEDIA DAY, CADILLAC, VALTTERI BOTTAS, RETRATO\" class=\"wp-image-1020318563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-estados-unidos-austin-media-day-cadillac-valtteri-bottas-2-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-estados-unidos-austin-media-day-cadillac-valtteri-bottas-2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-estados-unidos-austin-media-day-cadillac-valtteri-bottas-2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-estados-unidos-austin-media-day-cadillac-valtteri-bottas-2-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-estados-unidos-austin-media-day-cadillac-valtteri-bottas-2-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-estados-unidos-austin-media-day-cadillac-valtteri-bottas-2-150x84.png 150w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-estados-unidos-austin-media-day-cadillac-valtteri-bottas-2.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Valtteri Bottas (Photo: Cadillac)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bottas already scheduled to miss Mexico FP1 for Herta<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bottas&#8217;s situation has an additional complication because he was already due to miss Friday&#8217;s opening practice session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cadillac previously confirmed that <strong>Colton Herta will replace the Finn in FP1<\/strong>, giving the American his fifth official Formula 1 practice appearance of 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The session is particularly important for Herta because he is attempting to accumulate the points required for an FIA Super Licence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/cadillac-confirms-herta-for-mexico-fp1-as-dispute-over-f1-super-licence-points-continues\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO explained, Cadillac&#8217;s calculation gives Herta 39 points, while an independent assessment puts him on 38<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The American needs to meet the required running conditions to potentially add another point in Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bottas was therefore not scheduled to drive in FP1 even before Thursday&#8217;s illness announcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He is expected to resume his regular programme in FP2, subject to his recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cadillac has not announced any change to Herta&#8217;s planned participation or Bottas&#8217;s remaining race-weekend schedule.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The illness should not be interpreted as confirmation that Bottas will miss qualifying or Sunday&#8217;s race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mercedes and Cadillac prepare for Friday&#8217;s opening sessions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Mexican Grand Prix begins with FP1 on Friday, October 30, at <strong>12:30pm local time<\/strong>, followed by FP2 at 4:00pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mercedes has already scheduled Frederik Vesti to replace Russell in the opening session, meaning Antonelli is expected to be the team&#8217;s only regular race driver participating in FP1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Italian&#8217;s recovery is therefore particularly relevant to Mercedes&#8217; preparation, although no change to the team&#8217;s Friday line-up has been announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mexico also presents unusual technical challenges because Aut\u00f3dromo Hermanos Rodr\u00edguez sits approximately 2,240 metres above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The thinner air affects aerodynamic performance, engine cooling and energy management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those demands are particularly relevant under the 2026 technical regulations, as explained in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/mexicos-2240-metre-altitude-puts-f1s-new-hybrid-engines-to-their-toughest-test-yet\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO&#8217;s analysis of Mexico&#8217;s high-altitude challenge for the new hybrid engines<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mexican Grand Prix 2026 \u2014 Weekend timetable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Session<\/th><th>Mexico City (CST)<\/th><th>UK (GMT)<\/th><th>Bras\u00edlia (BRT)<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>FP1 \u2014 Friday, October 30<\/td><td>12:30pm<\/td><td>6:30pm<\/td><td>3:30pm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>FP2 \u2014 Friday, October 30<\/td><td>4:00pm<\/td><td>10:00pm<\/td><td>7:00pm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>FP3 \u2014 Saturday, October 31<\/td><td>11:30am<\/td><td>5:30pm<\/td><td>2:30pm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Qualifying \u2014 Saturday, October 31<\/td><td>3:00pm<\/td><td>9:00pm<\/td><td>6:00pm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Grand Prix \u2014 Sunday, November 1<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>2:00pm<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>8:00pm<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>5:00pm<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/when-is-the-next-f1-race-after-austin-mexico-city-gp-2026-date-and-start-times\/\">full Mexican Grand Prix timetable and worldwide start times<\/a> provide additional information for international viewers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mercedes expects Antonelli to resume his activities on Friday, while Cadillac has maintained Bottas&#8217;s planned participation subject to further medical developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Any change to either driver&#8217;s status would require a fresh team announcement or medical assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> is following every session of the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/\">Formula 1 section<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mercedes says Andrea Kimi Antonelli is recovering from a viral illness and has been excused by the FIA, while Cadillac gives Valtteri Bottas a precautionary day of rest ahead of Friday practice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020318543,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"F1 2026, ESTADOS UNIDOS, AUSTIN, MEDIA DAY,MERCEDES, KIMI ANTONELLI, ROSTO","42wp_featured_image_credits":"F1 2026, ESTADOS UNIDOS, AUSTIN, MEDIA DAY,MERCEDES, KIMI ANTONELLI, 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