News Summary
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli will wear a special helmet honouring Ayrton Senna at the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix, his first race since becoming Formula 1 world champion.
- The tribute marks 35 years since Senna’s legendary 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix victory, when the McLaren driver overcame gearbox problems to win at Interlagos.
- Antonelli will retain car number 12 in 2027 rather than adopt number 1, continuing a connection with Senna, who won his first world championship using the same number in 1988.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has revealed plans to wear a special helmet paying tribute to Ayrton Senna at the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix, which takes place at Interlagos on November 6–8. The Mercedes driver, who became Formula 1’s youngest world champion in Mexico, said the design celebrates the 35th anniversary of one of Senna’s most memorable victories and will make his return to Brazil particularly meaningful.
Speaking during the post-race press conference at the Mexican Grand Prix, Antonelli confirmed that the helmet had already been prepared and expressed enthusiasm about showing it to Brazilian supporters.
Antonelli honours Senna’s legendary 1991 Brazilian GP victory
“Yeah, I will have a special helmet for Brazil, for Ayrton,” Antonelli confirmed when asked about his plans for Interlagos.
The Italian explained that the tribute is connected to Senna’s dramatic victory at the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix, when the McLaren driver battled gearbox problems and completed the closing stages with only sixth gear available.
The victory was Senna’s first on home soil and remains one of the defining performances of his Formula 1 career.
Antonelli said he had worked on a design specifically dedicated to the Brazilian three-time world champion.
He described it as one of his favourite helmet designs, although the finished artwork has not yet been publicly detailed.
The new champion also praised the support he has received from Brazilian fans since his Formula 1 debut in 2025.
He said he was looking forward to returning to Interlagos and hoped to deliver a strong performance in front of the local crowd.
Number 12 connects Antonelli and Senna across generations
The tribute carries additional historical significance because of Antonelli’s racing number.
The Italian secured the 2026 championship driving car number 12, becoming the first Formula 1 champion to win the title with that number since Senna in 1988.
Senna used number 12 during his years with Lotus and in his first championship-winning season with McLaren.
Antonelli, who has admired the Brazilian since childhood, has chosen to retain the number throughout his single-seater career.
Despite earning the right to race with number 1 as reigning world champion, the Mercedes driver confirmed that he intends to keep number 12 for the 2027 season.
He explained that the number has personal significance and helps him remain grounded after his historic achievement.
Antonelli also admitted that he is superstitious, saying that previous experiences using number 1 had not gone well.
The decision preserves his connection with Senna while allowing him to begin his title defence with the same identity that accompanied his rise to Formula 1.
Antonelli returns to Brazil as F1’s youngest world champion
The São Paulo Grand Prix will be Antonelli’s first appearance since securing the 2026 Drivers’ Championship at the Mexican Grand Prix.
The Italian finished third behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, becoming the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history at 20 years, 2 months and 7 days.
Antonelli broke Sebastian Vettel’s 16-year record and ended Italy’s 73-year wait for another Drivers’ Championship.
His connection with Senna had already been evident during his first Formula 1 visit to Brazil in 2025.
After finishing second at Interlagos, Antonelli presented the helmet he had worn during the race to Senna’s family, signing it with a message of affection.
The gesture followed earlier visits to locations associated with the Brazilian champion, including his grave in São Paulo.
Antonelli will now return to the same circuit as a world champion, carrying a tribute to the driver who inspired him.
Mercedes, meanwhile, remains focused on securing the Constructors’ Championship, having established a substantial advantage over Ferrari.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the São Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its Formula 1 section.
