World champion Kimi Antonelli eyes 2027 title defence at Sao Paulo Grand Prix

World champion Kimi Antonelli arrived at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix intent on using the remaining races as a launchpad for his 2027 title defence. The Mercedes driver, who secured the championship in his second season at the Mexico City race, said the weekend offers a chance to finish the season strongly and build confidence for the next year.

"I'm actually very excited to be here. 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," Antonelli said.

The young champion, 20, visited the family home of the late Ayrton Senna and sat in one of Senna's 1980s Lotus cars, wearing a helmet design that pays tribute to the Brazilian legend. Reflecting on his rapid rise, Antonelli admitted he wished for more time to absorb his achievements.

"I would have liked a bit more time to just even digest what happened. 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 said.

He described the championship moment as surreal and highlighted the podium celebration with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen as a cherished memory.

"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. 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 added.