MEXICO CITY -- Kimi Antonelli has a viral infection and will miss media day ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix which is likely to finish with him as F1's youngest ever champion.
Antonelli, 20, who will win the title if he finishes Sunday's race ninth or higher, has been given permission by the FIA to skip his media obligations to rest up ahead of the week's on-track schedule.
Mexico's race starts with two practice sessions on Friday.
In a statement, Mercedes said they expected him back in time.
Antonelli has won nine races in 2026, with last Sunday's United States Grand Prix pushing him to the cusp of a historic first title.
The second-year F1 driver replaced Lewis Hamilton when the seven-time world champion joined Ferrari in 2025.
Should he not win the title in Mexico, he has races to come in Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi to clinch it.
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There will just be 20 of F1's 22 drivers present for media duties at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Cadillac has also confirmed Valtteri Bottas will miss Thursday's obligations due to feeling unwell.
Like Mercedes with Antonelli, Cadillac appeared confident he would be back in time for practice, saying it is a "precautionary measure and does not currently affect his participation in the remainder of the weekend."