Source: Official Team Post via X
Bruno Senna on Kimi Antonelli's Visit: A Champion's Humble Journey
Bruno Senna shared insights into Kimi Antonelli's visit to the Senna family estate, highlighting the young champion's admiration for Ayrton Senna. Antonelli's karting skills and humility left a lasting impression on the Senna family.
In the recent episode of the official podcast _F1 Beyond The Grid_, former F1 driver Bruno Senna recounted a memorable visit by Kimi Antonelli to the Senna family estate. Known for his admiration of the late Ayrton Senna, Antonelli, fresh off his first Drivers’ Championship win in Mexico City, was invited to explore the storied grounds.
The 20-year-old had the chance to sit in the iconic Lotus 98T, the very car Ayrton Senna raced in 1986. Antonelli also took a spin on the karting track designed by Ayrton himself. Bruno Senna reflected on the visit, noting, "We've known that he has been a super fan of Ayrton – and his dad as well, Marco – for a while. I met him in Imola in 2024, and he was dressed from head to toe in Senna gear."
Senna noted how Antonelli's enthusiasm was infectious, especially as he explored the Lotus 98T. "He didn't want to leave the car," Senna said, amused by the young driver's keen interest in the car's features. "His dad was skeptical about Kimi driving a manual car, but Kimi was confident."
The karting session on Ayrton's track was particularly telling of Antonelli's prowess. Despite the track's challenging conditions, Antonelli impressed with his speed and consistency. "The track was very dirty, and Kimi was able to create a groove and stay within it consistently. It was really impressive," Senna remarked, underscoring why Antonelli earned his championship title.
Reflecting on the visit, Senna appreciated Antonelli's humility and grounded nature, traits he finds rare in the fast-paced world of F1. "I think it's so easy for your mind to explode when you get into F1," he observed. "This is a world where you're a god and everybody is at your feet, so it's so easy for you to just lose your track."
Senna also expressed admiration for other young drivers like Gabi Bortoleto and Ollie Bearman, who, like Antonelli, maintain a humble demeanor despite their rising fame. "It's essential and very pleasing to see," Senna concluded, reflecting on the challenges of maintaining one's identity in the intense F1 paddock.