Antonelli at the Senna estate: laps in karts and announces a month off

Kimi Antonelli entered Fazenda Dois Lagos, in Brazil, and sat in the cockpit of Ayrton Senna’s Lotus 98T-Renault. Beside him were his father Marco and three members of the Brazilian champion’s family: Bruno, Lalalli and Bianca. For the 20-year-old Italian, who became world champion in Mexico City and the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, the Interlagos weekend begins like this: inside the world of his idol, with the same naturalness with which he continues to look ahead.

In the Interlagos paddock Antonelli shows the same drive as always. He says he is in Brazil to try to win and is already keeping his eyes beyond the title he has just claimed: the aim, he explains, is to work on 2027 and use the races that remain as a stepping stone towards next season. Even after his success in Mexico, the way he approaches the championship does not change. His mind remains there, on the challenges ahead and on the pace to be maintained until the end of the World Championship.

The tribute to Senna

The visit to the Senna estate was the central moment of his arrival in Brazil. Antonelli was able to see the property, get into the 1986 Lotus and go out on the kart track there. The family welcomed him warmly and also gave him several gifts, including T-shirts, a replica of Senna’s statue at the circuit and a brown leather jacket inspired by the one worn by the Brazilian. “The Senna family welcomed me with open arms,” Antonelli said.

The bond with Ayrton is not just about a visit or a memory. At Interlagos Antonelli will also wear a special helmet, presented as a tribute to the three-time Brazilian champion and the colours of his country. The passion for Senna, as sources explain, also comes from his father Marco and is reflected in concrete gestures, not a token celebration.

Eyes on what comes next

When the World Championship ends, Antonelli plans to stop. “I’ll take a good month off when the World Championship ends, maybe even a bit more,” he said. Only then, he added, will he try not to think about racing. Not now: right now he wants to stay focused, without giving in too early to the fatigue of the end of the season.

His Brazil starts here, from a day spent among memories, symbols and people who keep Senna’s name alive. For Antonelli, who will bring a helmet dedicated to his idol to Interlagos, the journey continues with the same idea as always: to keep memory and future together, without losing the thread that ties him to the person who inspired him.