Kimi Antonelli arrives in Sao Paulo fresh off claiming the 2026 world title

Look, Kimi Antonelli has barely had a moment to catch his breath since clinching the 2026 world title in the high-altitude surroundings of Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The young Italian was still beaming when he touched down in Brazil for the final phase in what has been an action-packed triple header, and honestly, who wouldn't be?

That championship was sealed with a gritty drive to P3 behind Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen last weekend. He managed that result despite feeling the effects of illness and the immense pressure of sealing the deal. It was enough to put the championship beyond mathematical doubt and spark a long line of emotional celebrations and press duties.

Those celebrations continued after Antonelli made the roughly nine-hour flight to Sao Paulo. Once he arrived, he spoke at a special press conference with Mercedes’ Title and Technical Partner Petronas on Wednesday, taking time to reflect on what had happened some 72 hours earlier.