Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli will wear a special helmet to honor Ayrton Senna at the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, according to RaiNews. The 20-year-old Bolognese driver recently secured his first Formula 1 World Championship title in Mexico.
Antonelli Honors Senna in São Paulo
Before returning to the track for the final stages of the season, Antonelli visited the Fazenda Dois Lagos estate in Tatuí. This estate sits approximately 140 kilometers from the state capital of São Paulo. He met with Senna’s family, including his father Marco and grandchildren Bianca, Lalalli, and Bruno.
Antonelli sat in the cockpit of Senna’s 1986 Lotus number 12. This visit marked his second year at the legendary driver’s grave.
The driver confirmed via social media that the helmet design honors both Senna and Brazil. The livery features a yellow and green base with blue details at the top. It incorporates the “S” from the Senna logo.
A small symbol on the back represents gear shifts. It specifically highlights sixth gear. This detail references the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix, where Senna won his first home race while his McLaren was stuck in sixth gear.
I hope you like it, they are memories I will always carry with me
Kimi Antonelli, via social media
Italian Driver Wins Title After Mexico City Performance
Antonelli’s arrival in Brazil follows his championship-winning performance at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. He is the third Italian driver to win the title. No Italian has reached this milestone since Alberto Ascari in 1953, following Giuseppe Farina’s 1950 success.
He wants to maintain his competitive intensity despite having already secured the title. Antonelli is already looking toward preparing for the 2027 season.
Zero thoughts, I want to continue winning
Giammaria Recognized Talent During 2014 Kart Summer Camp
Raffaele Giammaria first met Antonelli at the 2014 Kart Summer Camp in Sarno. The driver was only seven years old at the time. Giammaria serves as the Director of the ACI Sport Federal School and former President of the ACI Karting Commission.
Giammaria observed extraordinary talent in the child. He suggested to a colleague that there was a moral obligation to guide Antonelli toward Formula 1.
🚨| Kimi Antonelli's Senna Tribute for Brazil: — Kimi Antonelli will honor Ayrton Senna with a special helmet design at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, celebrating his recent F1 title win. Speaking to media, Antonelli revealed: “I will have a special helmet for Brazil, for Ayrton.… pic.twitter.com/TgtRw7vpBN
Wolff noted that the team’s decision to place him in the primary car exceeded expectations.
Family Discipline Shapes the Champion
His parents, Marco and Veronica, have supported his rise through the ranks. Marco highlighted that the family’s background in racing and mechanics provided a foundation of discipline. The family uses a monthly allowance to teach Antonelli financial responsibility. They want him to manage money for the future.
This discipline extended to his education. His father noted that school taught him the necessity of sacrifice to achieve results.
School taught him sacrifice. And the allowance is for the future
Kimi Antonelli will race with a special helmet design at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, in tribute to three-time champion Ayrton Senna. https://t.co/p7SWOKuGIA
Mercedes Targets Constructors’ Championship
The Mercedes team remains focused on the Constructors’ title. Antonelli enters the Interlagos weekend to help the team secure the championship. The team currently requires three points to mathematically secure the Constructors’ World Championship.