World Champion Kimi Antonelli Says 2027 Campaign Starts Immediately After Title Win
The 2026 F1 champion Kimi Antonelli vows to begin his 2027 preparation straight away, turning the season’s final races into a launchpad for next year’s title defence.
Italy’s Kimi Antonelli, who clinched his first Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship at the Mexican Grand Prix, announced that his focus has already shifted to the 2027 season. In post‑race interviews, the 22‑year‑old said he will treat the remaining races of the 2026 calendar as the starting point of his title‑defence campaign, a sentiment echoed by both Motorsport.com and the BBC.
Champion’s mindset
Antonelli explained that the momentum from his record‑breaking title win – becoming the youngest champion in F1 history – provides the perfect platform to begin work on the next year’s car. "My 2027 preparation starts now," he told the media, adding that the team’s engineers are already analysing data from the Mexican race to feed into the 2024‑2025 development cycle. The young driver also highlighted the importance of staying sharp during the final three rounds in Brazil, Abu Dhabi and the season‑ending race in Japan.
Team strategy and development
Red Bull Racing, the team behind Antonelli’s triumph, confirmed that they have already begun the 2027 car development programme. According to a statement released by the team’s technical director, the focus will be on aerodynamic refinements and a new power‑unit partnership slated for 2027, aiming to maintain the performance edge that delivered the championship. The early start is expected to give the squad a competitive advantage, especially as rivals such as Mercedes and Ferrari are also accelerating their development timelines.
What this means for the championship battle
With Antonelli’s rivals still locked in a tight points fight, his early preparation could intensify the title race. Mercedes’ driver Lewis Hamilton, who finished second in Mexico, hinted that the champion’s confidence could translate into a more aggressive approach in the remaining races. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc warned that “the fight is far from over,” suggesting that the Italian team will not sit back while Antonelli and Red Bull push ahead.
For Indian fans
Indian viewers can catch the final three races live on FanCode, with the São Paulo Grand Prix starting at 02:00 IST, the Abu Dhabi finale at 04:30 IST, and the Japanese Grand Prix at 07:00 IST. Antonelli’s early preparation narrative adds extra intrigue for fans following the championship from India, as the young champion’s momentum could shape the storylines heading into the 2027 season.
Source: Motorsport.com