Antonelli to Honor Senna with Special Helmet at Brazilian GP

Kimi Antonelli has announced that he'll don a special helmet in Brazil, designed as a tribute to the legendary Ayrton Senna. This comes shortly after Antonelli clinched his first world championship title in Mexico City. The Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where Antonelli will sport the new design, is often a backdrop for Senna tributes, particularly by South American drivers.

The Italian driver, clearly inspired by Senna, noted, “I will have a special helmet for Brazil, for Ayrton. It’s going to be 35 years since he won in sixth gear at his home race. I think it’s one of my best helmets.” Antonelli expressed his anticipation for the event, citing the incredible support he's received from Brazilian fans over the past two years.

Throughout his F1 career, Antonelli has carried a tribute to Senna by using the number 12, a nod to Senna's time with Lotus and his first championship with McLaren in 1988. Despite his right to switch to number one as the reigning champion, Antonelli revealed he will continue with number 12, following a path similar to Lewis Hamilton, who famously kept his number 44.

Antonelli explained his choice, saying, “I’ll stay with number 12 because it’s special to me. It keeps me grounded and humble, providing a fresh start each season. Plus, I’m superstitious, and number one has never worked out well for me.” Unlike Antonelli, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris opted for the number one during their championship reigns, but Antonelli seems content with his own path.