Antonelli admits to feeling tense as he chases F1 title in Mexico City

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, a 20-year-old Italian, could clinch the Formula 1 world championship at Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix. Formula 1 is the top level of single-seater car racing. He needs only to finish ninth to become the sport's youngest world champion.

Antonelli qualified fifth on Saturday but will line up fourth on the grid because of a penalty for Max Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton took pole position, with Antonelli's team-mate George Russell second, just behind him. Antonelli finished within two tenths of a second of Hamilton on his final lap.

Driver admits he is not at his best

Antonelli said he is still recovering from an illness that caused him to miss his media duties on Thursday. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, he said it had not been an easy weekend and that he still did not feel fully fit. He said the talk about the championship made him a bit more tense than usual, but that he would try to sleep well and focus on race day.

In the third part of qualifying, he said, he struggled to feel the tyres and lacked confidence. He described the lap as poor, with many mistakes, but stressed that fourth place on the grid still leaves a lot to play for.

Rivals pay tribute

In only his second season in Formula 1, Antonelli has outperformed Russell, who started the year as the clear title favourite. Lando Norris of McLaren, the current champion, said he is happy to hand over the number one to Antonelli and that the Italian deserves the title. Norris noted that Antonelli had beaten a very talented team-mate over the whole season.

The Mexico City Grand Prix starts on Sunday at 8pm UK time.