Antonelli admits nerves before Mexico City Grand Prix title chance
The Mercedes driver starts fourth after qualifying fifth, and could become F1's youngest world champion with a ninth-place finish.
Key facts
Story- Kimi Antonelli qualified fifth for the Mexico City Grand Prix and will start fourth after a Verstappen penalty.
- Antonelli could become F1's youngest world champion if he finishes ninth or higher on Sunday.
- The 20-year-old said he felt more tense than usual and was not satisfied with his qualifying lap.
Kimi Antonelli said he felt tense and unhappy with his performance after qualifying for the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver will start fourth on Sunday, and a ninth-place finish would give him the Formula One world championship.
Qualifying was difficult because of low grip on the track. Antonelli finished fifth, but he will move up to fourth after Max Verstappen received a one-place grid penalty. His Mercedes team-mate George Russell took second behind Lewis Hamilton, who claimed pole position.
"I just feel like I didn't do a good enough job out there and didn't have the most confidence," Antonelli said. He added that he had been more tense than usual all weekend. Keeping his emotions level had been hard, he said.
A historic chance
Antonelli is the championship leader and is 20 years old. If he wins the title, he will become the youngest world champion in the sport's history. He said he planned to spend the evening with family and friends before focusing on the race.
The result leaves Antonelli with a clear route to the title, but he must finish ninth or better on Sunday. Mercedes has not said what strategy it will use for the race.
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