A fan was left in tears after she met newly crowned F1 world champion Kimi Antonelli during the driver’s visit to the legendary Ayrton Senna‘s grave on Wednesday. Antonelli visited the Morumbi Cemetery in Sao Paulo to honor Senna ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend.
The fan could not control her emotions and read a letter to Antonelli in Italian before the pair shared a warm hug.
The fan also read a letter out to Antonelli’s father, Marco, who was also present at the cemetery.
Antonelli has always maintained that Senna has been one of his biggest inspirations, even though he was born 12 years after the Brazilian icon’s death. Antonelli also uses the same racing number that Senna did, 12, and has confirmed that he will continue doing so in 2027 rather than changing to the number 1.
Kimi Antonelli Reveals Special Ayrton Senna Tribute Helmet For the Brazilian GP
Antonelli has revealed a special helmet design for this weekend’s Brazilian GP, which serves as a tribute to Senna. The yellow helmet features a special ‘sixth gear’ design to mark the 35-year anniversary of Senna’s first win in Brazil in 1991.
“This one means a lot to me 💚💛💙 My special helmet for the weekend! A tribute to my idol and Brazil 🇧🇷 I hope you guys like it as much as I do ❤️” Antonelli wrote on Instagram.
Senna famously won the 1991 Brazilian GP with a gearbox failure, as his McLaren was stuck in sixth gear for the final seven laps. Managing to fight through the slow-speed corners without stalling, the three-time world champion still maintained the lead and saw the checkered flag, marking one of his most impressive victories.
Kimi Antonelli On His Role Model Ayrton Senna
Antonelli has often described Senna as his role model and inspiration, saying that even though he did not see the Brazilian racing, he knows and appreciates his legacy. Antonelli explained that Senna became his inspiration when he learned about his exploits on the track while growing up.
“He’s my idol. I didn’t get to see him racing with my own eyes during my life, but I’ve seen videos and through that, I could understand how special he was. That’s why he’s my role model,” Antonelli said in 2024.
“He always got the best out of what he was doing, trying to learn as much as possible. So through those videos, he’s become my inspiration,” he added.
Antonelli also said that he is inspired by Senna not just because he was an incredible driver, but more so because he was a good person in his eyes, as he showcased empathy for people around him.
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