Kimi Antonelli unveiled a special helmet for the opening weekend of the Brazilian Grand Prix, describing it as a tribute to Ayrton Senna and to Brazil. The world champion, who secured third place at the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday, 1 November, used the helmet to celebrate his hometown of São Paulo, where Senna grew up. Antonelli posted the helmet on his social‑media accounts on Friday, the day of the first two free‑practice sessions. In the accompanying caption he wrote: “Here is my special helmet for this weekend. It means a lot to me. It’s a tribute to my idol and to Brazil. I hope you like it as much as I do.” The design retains Antonelli’s usual helmet layout but incorporates elements from Senna’s classic livery, including the yellow, green and blue of the Brazilian flag. A small detail of the Italian tricolor appears on the tear‑off strip, underscoring the driver’s pride in his nationality. During the practice sessions, Antonelli reflected on the emotional support he received from fellow drivers. “I think Sebastian Vettel’s message was very beautiful. It was very deep, with a lot of meaning and advice for the future. I also received messages from Max, Lewis, Charles, and Lando. They were all very kind. I’m very happy and grateful to see so much respect and support,” he said. “It’s been incredible days, but I haven’t had enough time to fully process what’s happened. I’m still in a surreal mood, but we’re back to work. We’re in Brazil again, and the goal is to win and finish the year in style.” Antonelli’s special helmet and his comments highlight his ambition to secure a victory in São Paulo, while paying homage to the legacy of Senna and the passion of Brazilian motorsport.
Article source: Sport Mediaset | Image credit: Sport Mediaset