Antonelli turns to 2027 preparations after historic F1 title

Kimi Antonelli has begun looking towards the defence of his Formula 1 title just days after becoming the sport's youngest world champion. According to BBC Sport, the Mercedes driver said the remaining races of 2026 would also serve as the start of his preparations for next season, with a strong finish important to his confidence.

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Antonelli secured the championship in Mexico City last weekend at the age of 20, completing the achievement in only his second Formula 1 season. Speaking at Interlagos on Thursday, ahead of his first race since clinching the crown, he described his new status as difficult to absorb after a busy sequence of events following the decisive race.

BBC Sport's Andrew Benson reported that Antonelli wanted more time to reflect on winning the championship. The celebrations in Mexico were followed by a visit on Tuesday to a property belonging to Ayrton Senna's family, leaving little opportunity for a quiet pause. Antonelli said the experience of becoming world champion had still not fully sunk in.

During the visit, Antonelli sat in one of Senna's Lotus cars from the 1980s. He is also paying tribute to the Brazilian three-time world champion with a new helmet design for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The meeting with the Senna family was another significant experience in the days immediately after his own breakthrough championship success, he said.

Antonelli also recalled the podium celebration in Mexico, where Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen lifted him onto their shoulders. He said he had already framed a photograph of the moment and intended to display it on his wall. The gesture was particularly meaningful to him because of the two drivers' achievements and because he felt their wish to celebrate with him was genuine.

He said he hoped to thank Hamilton and Verstappen properly in a calmer setting. Alongside those memories, Antonelli's stated priority remains finishing the current season strongly: he linked his approach to the remaining races with building confidence for 2027. His comments put next year's campaign on his agenda even as he continues to process the championship he has just won.