Kimi Antonelli has already secured the Formula One drivers' title, but he insists Mercedes still have work to do as the season heads to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend.
The Italian driver cannot be caught in the standings, holding a 119-point lead over Max Verstappen with only 100 points available across the final four rounds. However, Mercedes still face a mathematical challenge in the constructors' championship, with Ferrari 126 points behind but still able to close the gap.
Mercedes' Constructors' Battle
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix offers Ferrari their first chance to reduce that deficit. Despite the celebrations already beginning for Antonelli's title, he is determined to maintain focus for the remaining races.
Speaking at an event in Brazil with Petronas, Mercedes' long-time commercial partner and title sponsor, Antonelli said: "It's such a great achievement that it takes time to understand and to realise, but I'm just so happy. It was a dream of mine to become world champion and finally we did it."
"But we just want to win more, we just want to win more and more. Definitely, when I would go back home, I will have a bit more time to think about it. But now, we're in Brazil and the goal is to try and go and win this weekend."
A Tribute to Ayrton Senna
Antonelli has no Brazilian heritage, but his racing idol is Ayrton Senna, a mythical figure in the country. He chose to race with the number 12 in F1 to pay homage to Senna, as it was the number with which the Brazilian won the first of his three world championships.
He will stick with that number next year, having said he will snub the chance to race with the number one on his car. Antonelli will also drive with a tribute to Senna on his helmet at Interlagos this weekend.
"This is one of the most special weekends of the year for me," the Italian racer said. "The support is very incredible around here, the passion for Formula One is incredible and it's also a very good track. It's a really cool combination, a great city with a lot of nature, we've got a great atmosphere, a great track and so it's a perfect combination. And also it's the race of my hero, so it adds a little bit extra."
Carrying Senna's Legacy
Antonelli spoke of his desire to win at Interlagos and his admiration for Senna, who he has visited the family of and seen his 1986 car. "I would love to win here, it would be lovely to win in the future and to even win a championship here, to claim it here. Ayrton is my hero, he's a big hero for Brazil. I had the opportunity to go and visit the Senna family as well and have a look around and just see his car from 1986. It was a true emotion just to be able to experience that."
"If I could pick a race to win, it would be this one. We'll be here in Brazil and hopefully we can do it this weekend. Also, we'll have a special helmet to celebrate Brazil this weekend, to celebrate Ayrton and to celebrate his 35 years ever since he won in sixth gear. Hopefully, it's going to be a very special one."
"The support from Brazil has always been incredible and that's why I'm so excited to come here because it feels kind of like a home race, even though it's not. But it feels like a home race because the support is just so great from Brazilians."
"I will always try to carry Senna's legacy because he's very important, he's a hero for me and his legacy is just so strong around the world. I'm just very happy and privileged to be able to use the number 12 and I will always get inspired by him, because he was not only a great driver, but he was also a very special person outside the track and what he did for Brazil."
"To see still nowadays the Senna Foundation run from the Senna family and to see his legacy being still so strong, and to still see how much he's loved here in Brazil and around the world is really great. That's why I picked him as my inspiration for now and for the years to come."
