Antonelli Begins 2027 Title Defence at Sao Paulo GP
Antonelli 2027 title defence preparations have already begun. Newly crowned Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli said his work on defending the title in 2027 has started, as he looks to finish the current season on a high.
The Mercedes driver made history last weekend by becoming the youngest world champion in Formula 1, securing the title in Mexico City during only his second season in the sport. He is now preparing for his first race since clinching the championship at this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where he hopes to build momentum ahead of next season.
Youngest champion still processing the title
Antonelli is 20 years old, and he admitted he has barely found time to process becoming world champion. The celebrations and the attention that followed the Mexico win left little room to take it in.
“I would have liked a bit more time to just even digest what happened,” he said, describing the celebrations and his meeting with the Senna family as an incredible series of events.
He also recalled a special moment from the podium celebrations in Mexico, when Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen lifted him onto their shoulders. The gesture from two of the sport’s biggest names marked the passing of the torch to its youngest champion.
Antonelli said he is determined to end the current season strongly while using the remaining races to build confidence. “I’m actually very excited to be here,” he said in Sao Paulo. “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.”
Senna tribute at Interlagos
Antonelli also paid tribute to Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna earlier this week. He visited the late three-time world champion’s family’s property on Tuesday and sat in one of his Lotus cars from the 1980s.
He will also wear a specially designed helmet honouring Senna at Interlagos. The tribute links the youngest champion in the sport’s history with the driver many Brazilians still regard as its greatest, on the weekend Formula 1 returns to Senna’s home race.
Antonelli 2027 title defence: the road ahead
The Sao Paulo race is the first step in Antonelli’s defence. The remaining races of this season give him room to build confidence without the pressure of a title fight, and Mercedes will use them to prepare the package for next year.
His rise has been rapid. He won the United States Grand Prix in October, then secured the title in Mexico with a top-nine finish. Feature Pakistan covered his title win in Antonelli Becomes Youngest F1 Champion at 20, after following his progress through the Mexico title decider and his US Grand Prix victory.
The sport itself is expanding. Formula 1 has agreed a deal to return to Africa, with Rwanda set to host a Grand Prix in the early 2030s, as covered in Rwanda to Host Africa’s First Formula One Grand Prix Since 1993.
For Antonelli, the task is now to prove the first title was the start of an era rather than a single season. The work, by his own account, has already started.
Related coverage
- His title win is covered in Antonelli Becomes Youngest F1 Champion at 20.
- The Mexico decider is covered in Antonelli One Top-Nine Finish from F1 Title in Mexico.
- His US Grand Prix win is covered in Antonelli US Grand Prix Win: Title Wait Goes to Mexico.
- The sport’s expansion is covered in Rwanda to Host Africa’s First Formula One Grand Prix Since 1993.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Kimi Antonelli?
He is 20 years old, and he became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history when he secured the title in Mexico City.
When did Antonelli win the F1 title?
He secured the championship last weekend in Mexico City, during only his second season in Formula 1.
What is Antonelli’s Senna tribute?
He visited Ayrton Senna’s family’s property, sat in one of Senna’s 1980s Lotus cars, and will wear a specially designed helmet honouring Senna at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
What did Hamilton and Verstappen do in Mexico?
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen lifted Antonelli onto their shoulders during the podium celebrations in Mexico City.
When does Antonelli’s 2027 title defence start?
Antonelli says his 2027 preparation starts now, beginning with this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, his first race since clinching the title.
