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.

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."

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.

Antonelli reflected on his achievement on media day at the track on Thursday.

"I would have liked a bit more time to just even digest what happened," he said. "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 the idea of being world champion "still feels surreal".

One of his most treasured moments on Sunday in Mexico was when Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen hoisted him on to their shoulders on the podium after the race.

Antonelli said: "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.

"And also even more special because it was real. It was something that they actually wanted to do.

"So it was a very special moment and definitely I hope I can see them again to thank them properly with a bit of calm because it was just very special."