Antonelli said title talk was hard to shut out before Mexico GP

Before the Mexico City Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli said he felt nervous under the pressure of a possible first Formula 1 title. The Mercedes driver needed only ninth place to clinch the championship and was due to start fourth.

Speaking after qualifying, Antonelli said he had never been in such a position before. The constant talk of the championship, he said, made it difficult to shut out the noise.

He told Viaplay he was tense in qualifying and made mistakes from his first lap in Q1. Antonelli was disappointed after expecting more, particularly following third practice, but called P4 a decent starting position.

“Nerves are part of it; it’s a big day,” he said, adding that he would try to manage his emotions and focus on a good result.