Antonelli says 2027 preparation starts now

New world champion Kimi Antonelli says he is treating the final races of the season as the beginnings of his campaign to retain the title next year. Kimi Antonelli is the youngest F1 world champion by more than three years The Mercedes driver became the youngest champion in Formula 1 history, in only his second season, when he clinched the title in Mexico City last weekend. Antonelli, 20, has his first race since tying up the title at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend. "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.

"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." The Ayrton Senna-inspired helmet design that Kimi Antonelli will be wearing in tribute to the legendary Brazilian at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix Antonelli visited the property of the family of the late Ayrton Senna on Tuesday and sat in one of the legendary three-time champion's Lotus cars from the 1980s. He is wearing a new helmet design paying tribute to Senna at Interlagos this weekend.