Kimi Antonelli and Valtteri Bottas Miss Mexico City Media Day Due to Illness

Overview of Media Day Absences

Formula 1 and supporting series teams have confirmed that two drivers, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas, were absent from media commitments at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Thursday due to illness.

Mercedes and Kimi Antonelli

Kimi Antonelli, currently leading the drivers' championship, was excused from Thursday's media duties by the FIA. Mercedes described the issue as a "viral illness" and noted that the absence is a precautionary measure to ensure the driver has sufficient time to recover before the weekend's track activities.

• Championship Stakes: Antonelli is in a position to secure the world title this weekend. He requires a specific points outcome relative to George Russell and Lewis Hamilton to clinch the championship.
• Current Expectations: A Mercedes spokesperson indicated that the team expects Antonelli to return to the circuit on Friday.

Cadillac and Valtteri Bottas

Valtteri Bottas also missed media sessions, with his team stating he is "unwell." Cadillac officials characterized the decision to grant the driver a rest day as a "precautionary measure" that does not currently impact his participation for the remainder of the event.

• Team Context: The announcement coincides with Cadillac confirming a contract extension for Sergio Perez through 2029. Meanwhile, team reserve driver Colton Herta is scheduled for a practice outing on Friday as part of the team's ongoing evaluation of their future driver lineup.

George Russell’s Focus

George Russell, speaking to the media on Thursday, addressed his recent performance fluctuations. The Mercedes driver noted that his priority for the final races of the season is to identify the technical or setup reasons behind his inconsistent form. Russell emphasized that despite the variability in his results, he remains confident in his ability to deliver top-tier performances, citing his pole position and win in Azerbaijan as evidence of his potential.

Verification and Further Information

• Official Updates: Spectators and media are encouraged to monitor official communications from the FIA and individual teams for updates regarding driver health status.
• Schedule: Practice sessions for the Mexico City Grand Prix are slated to commence on Friday, October 25, at 18:30 GMT.
• Source Details: This report is based on information provided by team spokespersons regarding driver availability and athlete commentary from the scheduled press conferences.