Antonelli begins 2027 prep talk after Mexico title week with Hamilton, Verstappen and Senna family stops
Kimi Antonelli’s week after a record-breaking Formula 1 drivers’ title at the Mexico Grand Prix has been a rush of ceremony, travel and unfinished emotion. The Italian, F1’s youngest champion, was lifted on the Mexico podium by Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, then celebrated at the post-race party before Monday sponsor work in Mexico City. He flew overnight to Sao Paulo to meet the Senna family in tribute to his childhood hero, fulfilled a Mercedes appearance for title sponsor Petronas, and on Thursday faced the media at Interlagos in the middle of a gruelling triple-header, still without time to sit with what he had done.
F1, Mercedes and the FIA had already staged a tailored Mexico podium. Producers chose Nessun Dorma, coincidentally the favourite song of Antonelli’s late grandfather, then Sarà Perché Ti Amo, as at Monza after his comeback win. He was reduced to tears on Sunday night and said his grandfather would be very proud. The official crowning is the FIA Prize Giving in Shanghai on 12 December, when the season is over and he has the trophy; he called that the moment the achievement might sink in. Mercedes also gave him a special champion T-shirt on Thursday morning, which he said still felt unreal.
With 2026 dominance and an early title, he has four races left without championship pressure and can start 2027 preparation now, aiming to finish strong for confidence. He wants to enjoy driving more without losing the intensity that brought nine grands prix wins, keep hunger for the race, and help clinch the constructors’ title this weekend in Brazil—more relaxed, but not too much, with fuller celebration only after the season ends.
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