Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been forced to miss Thursday’s media activities at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix after suffering a viral infection, Mercedes has confirmed. The Italian driver is recovering from illness ahead of a weekend in which he could secure his first Formula 1 World Championship, although the team expects him to return on Friday.
The setback comes at a particularly important moment for Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who arrives in Mexico on the verge of securing the drivers’ title. The Mercedes driver has enjoyed an outstanding 2026 campaign and is now closing in on the Formula 1 World Championship following his victory at Austin. However, his preparations for the Mexican Grand Prix have been disrupted by the viral infection that has left him feeling unwell.
Kimi Antonelli misses Mexico GP media day after viral infection
Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Mexico City Grand Prix weekend has not begun as he would have hoped. The young Italian, who is widely expected to secure his maiden Formula 1 world title in Mexico, has been weakened by a viral infection contracted in recent hours and will consequently miss the official Thursday media day.
Mercedes issued a statement confirming that its driver would not participate in any of his scheduled Thursday commitments. The team explained that the decision was precautionary, allowing the Italian additional time to recover before the on-track action begins.
The FIA has also granted Andrea Kimi Antonelli an exemption from his mandatory media duties, meaning the Mercedes driver can concentrate on resting rather than attending press conferences and other obligations.
Mercedes issues official statement on Kimi Antonelli’s health
Mercedes provided an update on the condition of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, explaining that the 19-year-old was recovering from a viral infection and was not feeling well enough to fulfil his scheduled media commitments.
“Just a quick note to let you know that Kimi is not feeling too well today, as he is recovering from a viral infection,” the Mercedes statement read.
“As a precaution, the FIA has excused him from his mandatory media commitments to allow him to rest ahead of the weekend. We expect him to be back tomorrow.”
The statement indicates that Mercedes expects Andrea Kimi Antonelli to return on Friday, when the opening free practice sessions are scheduled to take place. However, the team has not provided any additional information about the severity of the infection or whether it could affect his performance during the Grand Prix weekend.
Kimi Antonelli expected back for Friday’s Mexico GP practice
Mercedes is therefore preparing for Andrea Kimi Antonelli to resume his activities on Friday, when the cars take to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for the first time this weekend. His anticipated return would allow him to begin the on-track preparations for a potentially decisive race in the championship.
The Italian arrives in Mexico with an opportunity to clinch his first Formula 1 world title, having established a commanding position in the 2026 Formula 1 drivers’ standings. The illness represents an unwelcome interruption to his preparations, although Mercedes currently expects him to be available for Friday’s running.
The 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix schedule includes two free practice sessions on Friday, followed by final practice and qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday.
Valtteri Bottas also misses Mexico GP media duties
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is not the only Formula 1 driver dealing with health problems ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix. Valtteri Bottas is also not feeling fully fit and will miss Thursday’s media activities, although the Finnish driver is similarly expected to return to the circuit on Friday.
Unlike Andrea Kimi Antonelli, however, Valtteri Bottas will not participate in the opening free practice session regardless of his recovery. The Cadillac driver is scheduled to sit out FP1 to allow Colton Herta to take his place behind the wheel.
Both drivers are therefore expected to return on Friday, with Mercedes hoping Andrea Kimi Antonelli can recover sufficiently to begin his preparations for a weekend that could see him crowned Formula 1 world champion for the first time.
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