Newly crowned Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli says he is already turning his attention to defending his title next year as he prepares to race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver became the youngest champion in F1 history after sealing the championship in Mexico City last weekend during just his second season in the sport.
Focusing on the 2027 Season
Speaking ahead of the event at Interlagos, Antonelli explained that he views the remaining races of the current campaign as crucial groundwork for next year. “I’m actually very excited to be here,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity for me to, first of all, you know, try to finish the season on a top, but I also feel like that my 2027 preparation starts now.” He added that maintaining strong performance will be essential for his mindset: “It’s going to be important to finish the season well, strong, in order to have the confidence and also to be able to get the confidence ahead of 2027.”
Ahead of the race weekend, Antonelli visited the estate of the family of late three-time champion Ayrton Senna on Tuesday, where he sat inside one of Senna’s Lotus cars from the 1980s. The Italian driver is also wearing a specially designed tribute helmet honoring Senna during the weekend in Brazil.
Reflecting on his achievement during Thursday’s media day, Antonelli admitted he has had little time to absorb the moment. “I would have liked a bit more time to just even digest what happened,” he said. “I had such a crazy sequence of events in these days. I won the championship, then spent time with the Senna family, which was already an incredible event. So definitely, I would have liked a bit more time to just sit down and like reflect and realise what happened.” He added that the reality of being world champion “still feels surreal.”
Podium Moment with Hamilton and Verstappen
One of his favorite memories following his championship victory in Mexico was when fellow drivers Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen carried him on their shoulders on the podium. Antonelli shared that he has already framed a photograph of the celebration. “I already framed the picture and definitely will put it on the wall because it’s such a moment. Who would have said it? I wouldn’t have expected to celebrate my title in that way. So definitely when they picked me up was the cherry on top of the cake,” he said.
The Mercedes driver expressed deep appreciation for the gesture from two of the sport’s greatest figures. “I will always be thankful towards them for doing that because, first of all, to receive that from two incredible drivers who have done the history of the sport is very special,” Antonelli said. “And also even more special because it was real. It was something that they actually wanted to do.” He noted that he hopes to meet with both drivers again in a calmer setting to offer his thanks properly.
