Ferrari CEO Responds to Regret Over Kimi Antonelli’s F1 Title

Kimi Antonelli has visited Ayrton Senna's burial site for the first time as Formula 1 world champion ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The 20-year-old Italian secured his maiden drivers' title last weekend with a third-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

That result made Antonelli the youngest world champion in F1 history.

He wrapped up the championship with four races still left on the calendar.

Antonelli has made it a tradition to visit Senna's grave in the build-up to the race in Brazil.

He also did so last year, before he had won a single grand prix.

Senna is the childhood idol of Antonelli.

The Brazilian three-time world champion was tragically killed in a crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Senna died at Imola, which is just down the road from Antonelli's birthplace of Bologna.

Antonelli met Senna's family during his visit to the grave this week.

The family also allowed him to sit inside Senna's Lotus, the car the Brazilian drove early in his F1 career.

Antonelli described the experience as "incredibly emotional."

"I'll never forget that day," he said.

"I'm very grateful to the family. I would have loved never to get out of the [car]."

ANTONELLI'S SPECIAL HELMET

Antonelli is planning to run a special helmet design dedicated to Senna as a tribute during the Brazil weekend.

"I will have a special happening for Brazil, for Ayrton," Antonelli said.

"Also because it's going to be 35 years ever since he won for the first time in Brazil."

He called the helmet "one of my best helmets that I've made."

"So hopefully you guys, everyone, will like it," he added.

"It's going to be a very special weekend. I'm very much looking forward to it."

"The support from Brazil has been incredible, not only this year but already from last year."

WHAT COMES NEXT FOR THE CHAMPION

As the reigning world champion, Antonelli has the choice to run the number 1 on his car for his title defense in 2027.

But Antonelli has confirmed he will stick with his number 12 for next season.

It is the same number used by Senna when the Brazilian claimed the first of his three titles with McLaren in 1988.

"I think I'll stay with number 12," Antonelli explained.

"I'll stay with number 12 because, obviously, it's a very special number for me."

"But also it's a way for me to stay grounded, to stay humble, and I feel like by keeping number 12 it allows me to have a new point where to start and build on everything again and try to improve."

"And also, to be honest, I'm very superstitious, and number 1 has never been a good number for me."

"Whenever I put it, it went extremely badly. So one more reason to stay with number 12."

"But, yeah, I will stay with number 12."

THE CELEBRATIONS SO FAR

Antonelli admitted the days since his title win have been a blur.

"Everything's happening so fast – one minute I was in Mexico, the next I'm already here in Brazil," he said.

"The days are just flying by. It would have been nice to sit down for a moment and reflect a little on everything that's happened."

While still in Mexico, he had warned that no major party was planned there.

"We hadn't planned any celebrations there; we've still got the race in Brazil to come," he said at the time.

"Only then will we finally head back to Italy. And then I'll be going full throttle when it comes to partying."

"I can already tell you that I won't be flying to Las Vegas in the best of shape."

A MOMENT WITH THE GREATS

Antonelli also spoke about the moment Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen lifted him onto their shoulders after the title was decided.

He said he plans to visit both of them in the paddock this weekend.

"Because it meant a lot to me that they lifted me onto their shoulders," Antonelli said.

"And it was lovely to feel that their joy for me was genuine."

"As I said back in Mexico – this photo will get a place of honour at home, so that I'll walk past it time and again and be reminded of that wonderful moment."