{
  "id": 17538901,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T05:10:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/sports/2026/11/01/p9-for-f1-history-antonelli-admits-hes-tense-ahead-of-mexico-title-shot/241556"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MEXICO CITY, November 1 — Young Formula One contender Kimi Antonelli revealed he felt tense and underperforming after securing fifth place in qualifying for today's Mexico City Grand Prix, where he could secure his first ever drivers' championship. The 20-year-old Italian, who skipped Thursday's media day due to illness, will start from fourth after Max Verstappen of Red Bull receives a grid penalty. Antonelli requires a top-9 finish to clinch the title and Italy's first since Alberto Ascari in 1953, despite rivals George Russell of Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari currently leading the championship by 124 and 123 points respectively. Antonelli admitted his struggles with tyre management in Q3 and lack of confidence, saying, \"I just didn't have the most confidence, and I was feeling a bit tense, I'm not going to lie.\" Despite the challenging weekend, he remains optimistic about tomorrow's race, emphasizing that there is still much at stake for him.",
  "summary": "MEXICO CITY, Nov 1 — Kimi Antonelli admitted he felt tense and below his best yesterday after qualifying fifth for...",
  "key_points": [
    "20-year-old Kimi Antonelli feels tense and underperforming in Mexico GP",
    "Italian driver targets first championship title since 1953",
    "Antonelli needs top-9 finish to clinch first Italian drivers' title"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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": "New Straits Times",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-11-01T02:55:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}