The Mercedes driver starts fourth and needs a ninth-place finish on Sunday to clinch his first world championship.
Kimi Antonelli will start the Mexico City Grand Prix from fourth after qualifying fifth, and says he felt more tense than usual on a weekend where a ninth-place finish would make him world champion. He called his qualifying performance not good enough.
Kimi Antonelli will line up fourth for the Mexico City Grand Prix after admitting that nerves played a part in a qualifying session he was not happy with. The Mercedes driver, who leads the World Championship, finished the session fifth and moved up a place on the grid because of a one-place penalty for Max Verstappen.
A ninth-place finish in Sunday's race would be enough to secure his maiden title. If he does so, the 20-year-old Italian will become the youngest World Champion in the history of the sport.
What Antonelli said
Antonelli said conditions were tricky for everyone, with low grip on the track, but that he had not done a good enough job and lacked confidence. He said he had been more tense this weekend than usual, and that it had not been easy to keep his emotions flat.
Asked how he would approach the race, he said he planned to enjoy the evening with family and friends before turning his focus to Sunday.
Mercedes team-mate Russell on the front row
His team-mate George Russell looked to be in the fight for pole position and ended qualifying second, behind Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton. Antonelli had to settle for fifth on the road, which became fourth on the grid after Verstappen's penalty.
What we know so far
- Antonelli starts fourth after qualifying fifth.
- A P9 finish in the Mexico City Grand Prix would make him champion.
- He described his qualifying as below his own standard and said nerves were a factor.
- Russell qualified second, behind Hamilton.
