Kimi Antonelli after winning the World Championship: Dad, can I buy myself a car now?

Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Antonelli wants to treat himself for his newly won title – why he has to overcome his reservations

Formula 1 world champion Andrea Kimi Antonelli has revealed how he intends to reward himself for winning the 2026 title. The 20-year-old was crowned the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history at the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend.

Although his parents keep a very close eye on what he spends his money on, the Italian racing driver admits in an interview with *La Gazzetta dello Sport* that he’s going to treat himself to a new car.

“My parents have always tried to teach me the value of money,” Antonelli tells the Italian newspaper. “Even now that I’m earning substantial sums, they want to know exactly what I’m spending it on and where. But let’s put it this way: it’s a fairly easy job for them, because I don’t have any expensive hobbies.”

Most of his money goes on everyday things, although his greatest passion is his own racing simulator: “I’ve got my simulator at home and I have a lot of fun with it. I don’t need to go shopping. I spend money on food, things for the house, petrol… and then every now and then I buy a few new race tracks for the simulator.”

Whilst he generally remains cautious when it comes to money, cars are the big exception. “The one thing my parents really have to keep an eye on is cars,” he admits. “There are a few models I’d really love to buy. So I reckon I’ll treat myself to one of them if I win the title.”

As well as buying a car, Antonelli is planning a slightly more unusual celebration. He wants to keep his promise and dye his hair.

“I’ve already got the tins,” he says. “Now I just have to decide whether to do it this weekend or wait until next week, when I’m going to the factory in Brackley and have to speak in front of all the staff. It would certainly be funny to turn up there with dyed hair.”