Antonelli shows his true colours at Mercedes’ title party

Kimi Antonelli has found a rather colourful way to mark his arrival among Formula 1’s world champions – and, true to his word, he made sure nobody at Mercedes could miss the occasion.

The 20-year-old Italian turned up at the team's Brackley and Brixworth headquarters on Wednesday sporting a freshly dyed head of hair in green, white and red, proudly displaying the colours of his homeland. Subtle? Not particularly. Appropriate? Absolutely.

"Kimi did it. He actually did it," Mercedes declared on social media, clearly delighted that its newest world champion had followed through on his rather unusual celebratory promise.

A promise made – and spectacularly kept

Antonelli had revealed his plans before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, although he was still weighing up the timing.

"I've got the cans! Now I just have to decide whether to do it this weekend or maybe wait until next week when I go to the factory in Brackley and have to speak in front of all the employees," he said.

"It would be fun to turn up there with dyed hair."

Well, the cans have clearly been put to good use!

And there was certainly plenty to celebrate. Antonelli made history in Mexico, becoming F1's youngest-ever world champion and Italy's first since Alberto Ascari in 1953, after collecting nine Grand Prix victories in just his second season.

Mercedes also wrapped up its first Constructors' championship since 2021 in Brazil on Sunday. A difficult afternoon for Antonelli, who spun out of the lead and finished fifth, couldn't spoil the celebrations.

After all, when you're world champion at 20, even a bad hair day comes with a trophy.

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