Kimi Antonelli has revealed details of his celebrations after being crowned Formula 1 world champion, along with some of the messages he received in the aftermath of his historic triumph.
The 20-year-old Italian finished third in Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix to become the sport's youngest-ever drivers' title winner, achieving the feat with four rounds of the 2026 season still remaining.
Despite having the final leg of a triple-header to come this weekend with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil, a party was held on Sunday night in Mexico at which Antonelli said he did not hold back.
Asked whether Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord had been the "biggest party animal", Antonelli told Sky Sport Germany: "Bradley's good. But I was not joking either.
"I never drink. I try to avoid that as much as possible, also because I prefer eating pasta ragu from my mother.
"But that night, I was like, it's such a special occasion, I've got to go full out.
"The thing is, because I'm not used to it, after very little I was already feeling it. But I just kept going, all the way until the end. But it was a fun night.
"It was not easy to wake up. And my body wasn't in the best of states, let's say.
"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 message was really cool'
The extremely popular Antonelli was inundated 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 further messages from Verstappen and Hamilton, along with reigning world champion Lando Norris and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
He also confirmed he had been congratulated by fellow Italian sports stars Valentino Rossi and Jannik Sinner.
However, Antonelli was particularly enthused by a video message he received from retired four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel.
"I have to be honest, many, many people reached out and they were super nice," Antonelli told Sky Sports F1.
"Max, Lewis, Lando was very nice as well, Charles. Everyone within the paddock reached out and they were super, super nice.
"The message from Seb was really cool. But I got messages from all over. I'm very lucky to have so much support and to see so many people that were happy. Valentino Rossi, Jannik Sinner - there's so many people that I could list.
"But the message from Seb was very nice, very emotional, very deep.
"And also, what he says in the message is very 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 just need 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's still races to go this year where I want to try to win and finish on a high. And then 2027 is going to be everything new all over again, it's going to be a new beginning and a new point to build on and come back even stronger."
Friday November 6
3pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Practice One (session starts at 3.30pm)*
5.30pm: Team Bosses' Press Conference
6.45pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Practice Two (session starts at 7pm)
8.15pm: The F1 Show
Saturday November 7
2.15pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 2.30pm)*
5pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
6pm: SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
8pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook
Sunday November 8
3.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Sao Paulo GP build-up
5pm: THE SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX*
7pm: Chequered Flag: Sao Paulo City GP reaction
8pm: 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
