Verstappen recalls first F1 title after Antonelli's triumph: 'I was still drunk the next day'

Antonelli arrived at the Mexican Grand Prix last week with the opportunity to secure his maiden F1 championship, needing only a ninth-place finish to guarantee the title regardless of his rivals' results.

The Italian qualified fourth on the grid, behind Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Charles Leclerc, with Hamilton securing his first pole position for Ferrari. Despite the pressure surrounding the championship battle, Antonelli remained firmly in contention throughout Sunday's race, where a heavy crash for Valtteri Bottas brought out the red flag and interrupted proceedings for almost 40 minutes.

Following the restart, Antonelli overtook Leclerc to move into third place, securing the podium finish that crowned him the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history at the age of 20 years, two months and seven days.

Verstappen claimed victory for Red Bull, holding off Hamilton in the closing stages, while Antonelli crossed the line third to seal the championship with four races remaining. His achievement also ended Italy's 73-year wait for another Formula 1 drivers' champion, becoming the first Italian to claim the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

During Thursday's FIA press conference ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, Verstappen was asked how overwhelming those responsibilities can be for a driver experiencing championship success for the first time.

"I was probably still drunk the next day, so it was quite okay, to be honest," the Dutchman joked.

Verstappen, who secured his first world championship in 2021, explained that the excitement of winning the title outweighs the additional obligations that follow.

The Red Bull driver also addressed how becoming world champion could change Antonelli's life, particularly given the attention surrounding the young Italian in his home country.

"Of course, probably a lot more people know him now. Probably he's an even bigger hero in Italy," Verstappen explained.

However, the four-time world champion believes Antonelli has the right personality to handle the increased attention without allowing his success to change him: "He looks very normal and very humble. So I don't think a lot will change for him."