{"id":4845,"date":"2026-11-02T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=4845"},"modified":"2026-11-02T08:35:04","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T11:35:04","slug":"antonelli-reveals-special-ayrton-senna-tribute-helmet-for-2026-sao-paulo-f1-grand-prix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/antonelli-reveals-special-ayrton-senna-tribute-helmet-for-2026-sao-paulo-f1-grand-prix\/","title":{"rendered":"Antonelli reveals special Ayrton Senna tribute helmet for 2026 S\u00e3o Paulo F1 Grand Prix"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Andrea Kimi Antonelli will wear a special helmet honouring Ayrton Senna<\/strong> at the 2026 S\u00e3o Paulo Grand Prix, his first race since becoming Formula 1 world champion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The tribute marks 35 years since Senna&#8217;s legendary 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix victory<\/strong>, when the McLaren driver overcame gearbox problems to win at Interlagos.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Antonelli will retain car number 12 in 2027 rather than adopt number 1<\/strong>, continuing a connection with Senna, who won his first world championship using the same number in 1988.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrea Kimi Antonelli has revealed plans to <strong>wear a special helmet paying tribute to Ayrton Senna at the 2026 S\u00e3o Paulo Grand Prix<\/strong>, which takes place at Interlagos on November 6\u20138. The Mercedes driver, who became Formula 1&#8217;s youngest world champion in Mexico, said the design celebrates the 35th anniversary of one of Senna&#8217;s most memorable victories and will make his return to Brazil particularly meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-05-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"F1 2026, M\u00c9XICO, CIDADE DO M\u00c9XICO, CORRIDA, P\u00d3DIO, MERCEDES, KIMI ANTONELLI\" class=\"wp-image-1020320094\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-05-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-05-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-05-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-05-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-05-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-05-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-05.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kimi Antonelli (Photo: Mercedes)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Antonelli honours Senna&#8217;s legendary 1991 Brazilian GP victory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Yeah, I will have a special helmet for Brazil, for Ayrton,&#8221; Antonelli confirmed when asked about his plans for Interlagos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Italian explained that the tribute is connected to Senna&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The victory was Senna&#8217;s first on home soil and remains one of the defining performances of his Formula 1 career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Antonelli said he had worked on a design specifically dedicated to the Brazilian three-time world champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>He described it as one of his favourite helmet designs<\/strong>, although the finished artwork has not yet been publicly detailed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new champion also praised the support he has received from Brazilian fans since his Formula 1 debut in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He said he was looking forward to returning to Interlagos and hoped to deliver a strong performance in front of the local crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Number 12 connects Antonelli and Senna across generations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The tribute carries additional historical significance because of Antonelli&#8217;s racing number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Italian secured the 2026 championship driving car number 12, becoming <strong>the first Formula 1 champion to win the title with that number since Senna in 1988<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Senna used number 12 during his years with Lotus and in his first championship-winning season with McLaren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Antonelli, who has admired the Brazilian since childhood, has chosen to retain the number throughout his single-seater career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite earning the right to race with number 1 as reigning world champion, the Mercedes driver confirmed that <strong>he intends to keep number 12 for the 2027 season<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He explained that the number has personal significance and helps him remain grounded after his historic achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Antonelli also admitted that he is superstitious, saying that previous experiences using number 1 had not gone well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Antonelli returns to Brazil as F1&#8217;s youngest world champion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The S\u00e3o Paulo Grand Prix will be Antonelli&#8217;s first appearance since <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/antonelli-becomes-youngest-f1-world-champion-as-verstappen-wins-chaotic-2026-mexican-gp\/\">securing the 2026 Drivers&#8217; Championship at the Mexican Grand Prix<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/antonelli-shatters-16-year-f1-record-how-his-historic-title-compares-with-vettel-hamilton-and-verstappen\/\">Antonelli broke Sebastian Vettel&#8217;s 16-year record<\/a> and ended Italy&#8217;s 73-year wait for another Drivers&#8217; Championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His connection with Senna had already been evident during his first Formula 1 visit to Brazil in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After finishing second at Interlagos, Antonelli presented the helmet he had worn during the race to Senna&#8217;s family, signing it with a message of affection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The gesture followed earlier visits to locations associated with the Brazilian champion, including his grave in S\u00e3o Paulo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Antonelli will now return to the same circuit as a world champion, carrying a tribute to the driver who inspired him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mercedes, meanwhile, remains focused on securing the Constructors&#8217; Championship, having established a substantial advantage over Ferrari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> is following every session of the S\u00e3o Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/\">Formula 1 section<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Andrea Kimi Antonelli will honour Ayrton Senna&#8217;s legendary 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix victory with a special helmet at Interlagos, while keeping the number 12 that links the two champions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020320146,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Andrea Kimi Antonelli","42wp_featured_image_credits":"Mercedes","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_ai_content_disclaimer":"","42wp_is_ai_content":false,"42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[{"id":59,"location":""}],"footnotes":"","42wp_hide_from_automatic":false,"42wp_breaking_news":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[19,211,16,972],"42wp_author":[59],"class_list":["post-4845","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","tag-andrea-kimi-antonelli","tag-ayrton-senna","tag-mercedes","tag-sao-paulo-grand-prix","42wp_author-fabricio-carvalho"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4845","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4845"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4845\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4846,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4845\/revisions\/4846"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1020320146"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4845"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4845"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4845"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=4845"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}