Kimi Antonelli Starts 2nd in São Paulo
The 20-year-old Formula One champion looks to maintain his performance in his first full race as a title holder, starting second on the grid in the 21st official race weekend of the 2026 season
Story timeline5 updates
Lando Norris wins São Paulo Grand Prix, Mercedes secures 9th constructors title.
Mercedes secures its ninth F1 constructors' title.
Lando Norris wins the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Kimi Antonelli goes off the track on his lap to the grid due to slippery conditions.
Story published. The 20-year-old Formula One champion looks to maintain his performance in his first full race as a title holder, starting second on the grid in the 21st official race weekend of the 2026 season
Kimi Antonelli, the 20-year-old Formula One world driver champion, is set to compete in the São Paulo Grand Prix, his first full race as a champion. Antonelli, who won the world driver championship in 2026, will start second on the grid in the 21st official race weekend of the season.
The São Paulo Grand Prix marks a significant event in the 2026 season, with Antonelli looking to maintain his performance amidst growing distractions and competition from other drivers. In the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix, Lando Norris took the top spot, with Antonelli and Liam Lawson rounding out the podium.
Antonelli's achievement is all the more impressive given his young age. He is the youngest driver to win the world driver championship since Sebastian Vettel, who won the title in 2010 at the age of 23. The question now is whether Antonelli can continue to perform at a high level, with the distractions of being a champion and the pressure from other drivers.
The São Paulo Grand Prix will be an important test for Antonelli, as he looks to lay down a marker for next season and demonstrate that he can continue to compete at the highest level. The race will be held on a Sunday and can be watched live on Apple TV.
## What's at stake The São Paulo Grand Prix is not just a significant event in the 2026 season, but also a crucial test for Antonelli's career. As the youngest driver to win the world driver championship in recent years, he faces intense pressure to perform and maintain his position at the top. The outcome of the race will be closely watched, as fans and pundits alike look to see whether Antonelli can continue to deliver results and cement his position as a champion.
## Background Antonelli's rise to the top has been swift and impressive, with his win in the 2026 world driver championship marking a significant milestone in his career. As he navigates the challenges of being a champion, he will need to balance the pressures of competition with the distractions of fame and media attention. The São Paulo Grand Prix will be an important indicator of his ability to perform under pressure and maintain his position at the top of the sport.
