Kimi Antonelli visits Ayrton Senna's grave in São Paulo
The new world champion was invited by the Senna family, sat in Senna’s Lotus and will race Interlagos with number 12.
Kimi Antonelli made a private, emotional visit to Ayrton Senna’s gravesite in São Paulo ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, shortly after clinching the 2026 Formula 1 world championship in Mexico. The Mercedes driver was invited by Senna’s family and allowed to sit in one of the iconic Lotus cars from the three‑time champion’s era.
Visit and symbolism
Team and media footage show Antonelli arriving at the cemetery accompanied by his parents and his younger sister. The gesture reinforced a connection he has publicly maintained since the start of his career: Antonelli races with the number 12 as a sign of respect for Senna.
One post from Direction Racing Sivira translated the moment: "Upon arriving in Brazil, Kimi Antonelli was invited by the Senna family and climbed into Ayrton Senna's Lotus, the car with which he won his first race at Estoril in 1985. Notice the car carries number 12 — Kimi uses 12 precisely for Ayrton Senna." (Direction Racing Sivira (DRS) @DRSNewTotal, November 4, 2026.)
Another social update described the scene as a personal tribute: "A heartfelt tribute to his childhood idol! ❤️ Kimi Antonelli pays his respects to Ayrton Senna at his resting place, keeping up a special Brazilian GP tradition. 🥹🇧🇷" (Sportskeeda Pit Stop @SKPitStop, November 5, 2026.)
The visit came days after Antonelli secured the 2026 title in Mexico and ahead of his first race weekend as world champion at Interlagos, where he will again compete with the number 12 on his Mercedes.
For Antonelli the stop was both a private moment with the Senna family and a public nod to one of motorsport’s most enduring figures: the Lotus that Senna drove to his early successes remains a powerful symbol for the new champion.
Photo: press material from the event
