Kimi Antonelli, driver of the Mercedes team, said that he was driving the car more nervous than usual, as the 20-year-old young man prepares to compete in the “Mexico Grand Prix,” which may make him the youngest champion in the history of the Formula 1 World Championship. The Italian driver is scheduled to start from fourth place at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit today (Sunday), and he only needs to finish the race in ninth place to clinch the title, thus becoming the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Antonelli told reporters yesterday (Saturday): “I was definitely a little more nervous than usual, especially when you keep hearing the same words wherever you go and at any time of the day.”
The Italian driver, who recorded the fifth-fastest time in qualifying but moved up one place after Red Bull driver Max Verstappen received a penalty at the start, said that the possibility of the title being considered a mere formality was something difficult to ignore.
He added: “People say the matter has already been decided.” Since I know myself well, I tried to ignore this noise as much as possible, but it was not easy.”
Mercedes driver George Russell, who will start in second place today, is his colleague Antonelli's closest competitor for the title, and is 123 points behind him, with only 100 points remaining after today's race.
Russell or Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, who will start from pole, must win today to postpone Antonelli's coronation.
The tournament leader was also recovering from an illness after suffering a high fever and stomach problems last Thursday.
“I haven’t fully recovered yet,” Antonelli said, adding that his energy levels were low and he had not slept well.
He added: “This is not an excuse, but this was definitely not my best performance.”
Antonelli said he felt competitive in the second stage of qualifying on used tires, but had difficulty setting a good lap on the new tires in the final stage.
However, his starting position gives him a strong chance of clinching the points he needs, although Turn 1 in Mexico City could make for a chaotic opening lap.
“It will be important to start well,” he said. The first corner is always very difficult. But I think if we get off to a good start, we have a good chance of moving forward.”
He explained that he would try to get some rest before today's race, after his family arrived in Mexico City.
He added: “I will just try to stay away from everything as much as possible, sleep well, and then prepare well for today’s race.”
MotoGP World Championship officials informed the teams today (Sunday) that they had not received any information that would require a change to next week's Qatar Grand Prix, despite the objection of some racers who are concerned about traveling there in light of the ongoing war against Iran.
The race scheduled to be held at the Losail International Circuit, which was scheduled to be held last April, was postponed to the period from the sixth to the eighth of this November, due to the conflict that spread to large parts of the region after the American-Israeli attacks on Iran.
A group of contestants requested more guarantees regarding travel to the Gulf region, such as details of evacuation plans and compensation insurance.
A World Championship spokesman told Reuters: “The World Championship management met this morning with the teams to review the latest information and guarantees provided by the State of Qatar, the Losail International Circuit, the relevant embassies and independent experts. These internal and external assessments continue to guide our ongoing risk review and decision-making process. “After reviewing the latest information, receiving official confirmations from the State of Qatar, and reviewing the independent assessments currently available to us, we have not received any information that would require changing the current plans for the race.”
The World Championship added that the safety and well-being of everyone in each team’s area behind the garage “remains our top priority” before the final race of the season in Asia, before the series returns to Europe for the final two rounds in Portugal and Valencia.
The spokesman said: “We will continue to monitor developments closely and will remain in regular contact with all relevant authorities and stakeholders. Decisions of this kind must be based on the latest facts, advice from authoritative sources, and an assessment based on the knowledge available at the time we make those decisions. If that assessment changes, we will act as the situation requires.”
The meeting was also attended by the International Association of Road Racing Teams, which represents all MotoGP World Championship teams and contributes to coordinating logistics in each team's area of the circuit as well as the pit area.
Qatar ensured that none of the teams would remain stuck in the event of any escalation in the conflict. Aprilia and Ducati teams, the two main manufacturers in the championship this season, have confirmed that they will travel to Qatar.
Joshua Kimmich, a player for the German football team Bayern Munich, spoke for the first time about his father’s sudden death following his team’s 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund, yesterday (Saturday).
Kimmich said: “Last week was very difficult for my family, and for me as well. My father was always there for me. He was always by my side. He always supported me and believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself.”
The player, who wore the Bayern captaincy with his return, after missing the last three matches, added: “This is why my return was very difficult, because the moments when I am on the field are precisely the times when I think about him more than any other time.”
Berthold Kimmich died last week at the age of 57.
He said: “It was important for me to come back and try to restore my daily routine. Even if I sometimes wish the world would stop spinning, even if just for a little bit. But - fortunately and unfortunately at the same time - he continues to move forward.
He added that he was happy to return to the team, and expressed his gratitude for the condolences and sympathy he and his family received.
He said: “The support I received from the club, the German Football Association and everyone around us was very special. "It meant a lot to me."
