Some moments touch the soul in ways no championship trophy ever could.
Ahead of this weekend’s São Paulo GP, freshly crowned F1 World Champion Kimi Antonelli spent a unforgettable day in Brazil immersed in motor racing history, sharing a deeply personal tribute with the family of his childhood idol, Ayrton Senna.
Flanked by his father and Ayrton’s nieces and nephew – Bianca, Lalalli, and Bruno Senna – the 20-year-old Italian stepped inside the cockpit of the great Brazilian’s iconic Lotus 98T.
Painted in its classic black-and-gold livery, the machine bore the famous number ‘12’—the very number Kimi carries into his own racing career.
For Antonelli, Senna’s influence stretches far beyond the legendary victories and world titles; it lies in the passion, spirit, and heart Ayrton brought to the sport.
Sitting in that historic cockpit alongside the Senna family created a bridge across time. Different generations. Different journeys. Yet bound together by one immortal legacy, as Ayrton’s memory continues to inspire the champion Kimi has become.
“Unforgettable day,” the 2026 world champion wrote on Instagram. “Obrigado to the whole Senna family. It will take some time to sink in, but I will carry these memories with me forever.”
