Kimi Antonelli has revealed details of his celebrations after being crowned Formula 1 world champion, along with some of the messages he received following his historic triumph.
The 20-year-old Italian finished third in Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix to become the sport’s youngest driver’s title winner, achieving the feat with four rounds of the 2026 season still remaining.
Despite having the final leg of a treble coming up this weekend with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil, a party was held on Sunday night in Mexico that Antonelli said he did not hold back.
Asked if Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord had been the “biggest party animal”, Antonelli told Sky Sport Germany: “Bradley is good. But I wasn’t kidding either.
“I never drink, I try to avoid it as much as possible, also because I prefer to eat ragu pasta from my mother.
“But that night, I thought it’s such a special occasion, I have to go all out.
“The thing is, I’m not used to it, after a while I was already feeling it. But I just kept going, until the end. But it was a fun night.
“It wasn’t easy to wake up. And my body wasn’t in the best shape, let’s say.
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How the Antonelli Pilots Championship sounded with Italian comments!
“But it was good. We had a lot of fun together with the team. Also, my dad was there, some of my friends were there.
“It was the best way to celebrate such a special day. But now we’re back at it again and the focus is to try and win.”
“Vettel’s message was really cool”
The hugely popular Antonelli was showered with congratulations after sealing the title, starting with fellow world champions Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who shared the podium with the Italian in Mexico.
Antonelli revealed he had received other messages from Verstappen and Hamilton, along with reigning world champion Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
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Former world champions Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton shoulder F1’s newest champion in Mexico.
He also confirmed that he had been congratulated by fellow Italian sports stars Valentino Rossi and Jannik Sinner.
However, Antonelli was particularly excited by a video message he received from retired four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel.
“I have to be honest, many, many people came up and were very nice,” said Antonelli Sky Sports F1.
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Antonelli watches a video montage of his journey from karting to F1’s newest champion
“Max, Lewis, Lando were great too, Charles. Everyone in the paddock reached out and were super, super nice.
“The message from Seb was really nice. But I got messages from all over. I’m very lucky to have so much support and to see so many people who were happy. Valentino Rossi, Jannik Sinner – there are so many people I could list.
“But Seb’s message was very beautiful, very emotional, very deep.
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Sebastian Vettel congratulated Antonelli on breaking his record as the youngest Formula 1 world champion.
“And also, what he says in the message is so cool and it’s something I can use for the future. Especially when he says that my life is going to change a lot, but he also says that I have to be myself and stay grounded because there’s still a race to win at the end of the day.
“Of course, I won my first championship, but there are still races to go this year where I want to try to win and finish on a high. And then 2027 will be all new again, it will be a new start and a new point to build on and come back even stronger.”
Sky Sports F1 Sao Paulo GP live schedule
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Watch some of the most dramatic moments that happened at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
Friday 6 November
15:00: First practice of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix (session starts at 15:30)*
17:30: Press conference of the team bosses
18:45: Second Practice of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix (session starts at 19:00)
20:15: F1 show
Saturday, November 7
14:15: Third Practice of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix (session starts at 14:30)*
17:00: Qualifying preparation of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
18:00: SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX QUALIFICATION
20:00: Ted’s qualifying notebook
Sunday, November 8
15:30: Sunday’s Grand Prix: Sao Paulo GP Preparation
17:00: Grand Prix of SAO PAULO*
19:00: Checkered flag: Sao Paulo City GP reaction
20:00: Ted’s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Brazil for the final leg of the triple header with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW