Mercedes says Antonelli's car was close to retiring in Mexico City

Mercedes has revealed that Andrea Kimi Antonelli came close to retiring from the Mexico City Grand Prix because of an oil leak in his W17 during the closing stages of the race. Deputy team principal Bradley Lord said the sump had cracked and that Antonelli had begun to feel the engine struggling about four laps from the end.

Antonelli clinched his first F1 world title with four races to spare after finishing third behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. He had also battled a viral illness that caused him to miss media day on Thursday. He said he had been overcome with emotion on the final lap and had backed off because he could not see the track clearly.