{
  "id": 17522622,
  "title": "Antonelli admits to feeling tense of eve of potential F1 title decider",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/antonelli-admits-to-feeling-tense-of-eve-of-potential-f1-title-decider",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T02:55:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/motor-sports/2026/11/1568081/antonelli-admits-feeling-tense-eve-potential-f1-title-decider"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MEXICO CITY: Kimi Antonelli expressed feeling tense and subpar on Saturday as he qualified fifth for Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix, which could secure him Formula One's youngest world championship. The 20-year-old Italian, who missed Thursday's media day at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez due to illness, will begin the race from fourth place, as Red Bull's four-time world champion Max Verstappen is serving a grid penalty. Antonelli requires a ninth-place finish or better to clinch his first drivers' title and Italy's first since Alberto Ascari in 1953, even though his main rivals – Mercedes teammate George Russell or Ferrari's seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton – are currently 124 and 123 points behind him in the race. Hamilton is starting the race from his record 105th pole position, while Russell is positioned second on the grid. The two drivers are respectively 124 and 123 points behind Antonelli in the title race. Antonelli admitted that he struggled to feel confident with the tyres in Q3, stating that he was feeling tense and expressing that it was a poor lap with many mistakes. However, he emphasized that he is still P4 and that there is still a lot at stake for him tomorrow.",
  "summary": "MEXICO CITY: Kimi Antonelli admitted he felt tense and below his best on Saturday after qualifying fifth for Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix, where he can become Formula One’s youngest world champion.",
  "key_points": [
    "Kimi Antonelli felt tense and subpar before potential F1 title race",
    "Qualifies fifth for Mexico City Grand Prix, fourth place start",
    "Needs ninth-place finish to claim first drivers' championship"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Antonelli's struggle with confidence and tyre performance heading into the race places the weight of ending Italy's long championship drought squarely on his ability to manage immense psychological pressure.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Antonelli says title pressure made him more tense",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/antonelli-says-title-pressure-made-him-more-tense",
        "published": "2026-10-31T23:37:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "P9 for F1 history! Antonelli admits he’s ‘tense’ ahead of Mexico title shot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/p9-for-f1-history-antonelli-admits-hes-tense-ahead-of-mexico-title",
        "published": "2026-11-01T05:10:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}