Kimi Antonelli calls Senna visit a day he’ll never forget

Kimi Antonelli paid a visit to Ayrton Senna's nephew and nieces ahead of this weekend's São Paulo Grand Prix, describing it as an "unforgettable day."

Senna has long been the guiding inspiration behind Antonelli's career.

The Italian grew up on stories of the three-time champion and has idolised him since childhood.

A tribute reflected in his choice of race number.

Antonelli carries number 12, the number Senna used for part of his own career.

He will keep it again next season purely to honour him.

For Antonelli, Senna is far more than a former Formula 1 driver.

He is a source of inspiration.

That made his visit to the Senna family all the more significant.

Upon arriving in Brazil after becoming world champion in Mexico City, Antonelli travelled with his father Marco to spend time with Bruno, Bianca and Paula Senna.

Bruno is Ayrton's nephew.

Bianca and Paula are Ayrton's nieces.

The new world champion shared a photo on Instagram of himself sitting in the legendary Lotus 98T.

That is the car in which Senna won the Spanish and Detroit Grands Prix in 1986.

It carried the same number 12.

For Antonelli, it was clearly a special and emotional visit to the Senna family.

In the newly crowned world champion's Instagram post, he thanked the Senna family wholeheartedly.

Antonelli wrote: "An unforgettable day. Thank you to the entire Senna family. It will take some time to sink in, but I will carry these memories with me forever."

The Senna family also felt honoured by the visit from Kimi and Marco Antonelli.

Paula Senna shared more photos of the visit.

Her caption read: "We had the pleasure of welcoming the newest world champion, Kimi Antonelli on a very special occasion: standing next to Ayrton Senna’s iconic Lotus, celebrating his victory with a very heartfelt gift, one of my sculptures of Ayrton."

She added: "And we had the opportunity to see from ourselves what a special character he is."

"A connection between generations who share the same passion for motorsports and the pursuit of excellence."

"Congratulations, Kimi, on this great achievement and on the career you’ve been building on the track!"

Antonelli became world champion at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

That victory marked the first world championship of his Formula 1 career.

He now arrives at the São Paulo Grand Prix as the reigning champion for the first time.

Senna won three world championships in his career.

He died at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in Imola.

Senna remains one of the most revered figures in Brazilian and global motorsport history.

Antonelli's tribute extends beyond this visit.

He chose the number 12 specifically to honour Senna.

Senna used number 12 during his time with the Lotus team.

Antonelli has said in the past that Senna is his idol.

The visit took place in São Paulo ahead of this weekend's race.

The Brazilian Grand Prix is one of the most anticipated events on the calendar.

Antonelli will race in front of Brazilian fans for the first time as a world champion.

The emotional significance of the visit was not lost on either side.

Paula Senna's sculpture of Ayrton was given to Antonelli as a gift.

It was a heartfelt gesture from the family.

Antonelli's father Marco accompanied him throughout the visit.

Marco has been a constant presence in Kimi's career from his karting days.

The Antonelli family has Italian roots.

Kimi Antonelli drives for the Mercedes Formula 1 team.

He joined Mercedes after rising through their junior programme.

His championship win in Mexico came after a season of strong performances.

The visit to the Senna family was not a publicised event beforehand.

Antonelli chose to share it on his own terms through Instagram.

The post received widespread attention from fans and media.

Many noted the parallel between the two drivers' careers.

Both achieved greatness at a young age.

Senna won his first championship at 28.

Antonelli won his at a younger age.

The number 12 connection adds a layer of symbolism.

Antonelli has said he will keep the number as long as he races.

The visit took place shortly after Antonelli arrived in Brazil.

He did not wait for the race weekend to begin.

He went straight to the Senna family.

That detail impressed many observers.

It showed the visit was a personal priority, not a scheduled obligation.

The Senna family's response was equally warm.

Paula Senna's public statement called Antonelli a "special character."

She highlighted the connection between generations.

She praised his pursuit of excellence.

The meeting included time spent near Senna's historic Lotus car.

That car is a piece of Formula 1 history.

Senna drove it to two of his most famous wins in 1986.

The Spanish Grand Prix and the Detroit Grand Prix.

Both victories showcased Senna's skill in wet conditions.

Antonelli sat in the same cockpit.

The photograph of him in the car became the centrepiece of his post.

It was a visual link between the past and the present.

Antonelli's caption acknowledged the weight of the moment.

He said it would "take some time to sink in."

That suggested the experience affected him deeply.

He promised to carry the memories forever.

The visit comes at a pivotal moment in Antonelli's career.

He has just achieved the pinnacle of the sport.

Now he is honouring the driver who inspired him to get there.

The São Paulo Grand Prix will be his first race as champion.

It takes place at the Interlagos circuit.

Senna won his home Grand Prix twice at Interlagos.

Antonelli will be trying to win his first race as champion on the same track.

The symmetry is not lost on fans.

Many have drawn comparisons between the two drivers' styles.

Both are known for aggressive overtaking and bravery in the rain.

Antonelli has acknowledged Senna's influence on his driving.

The visit also reinforces Antonelli's connection to Brazil.

He has Brazilian fans who have followed his career.

His tribute to Senna resonates strongly with them.

The Senna family's warm reception indicates they see something genuine in Antonelli.

Paula Senna's words suggested she was personally moved.

She said they had the opportunity to see "from ourselves what a special character he is."

That personal endorsement carries weight.

The Senna family is protective of Ayrton's legacy.

They do not lend their name or image to every tribute.

Their willingness to welcome Antonelli speaks to his character.

The visit lasted long enough for meaningful conversation.

It was not a brief handshake and photo.

Antonelli spent real time with Bruno, Bianca and Paula.

That suggests a genuine connection was formed.

The gift of Paula's sculpture of Ayrton was a significant gesture.

It is a personal item from the family's own collection.

Giving it to Antonelli shows they trust him with a piece of their history.

Antonelli's career is still in its early stages.

He has many years ahead of him in Formula 1.

But this moment will likely remain a highlight.

The visit was a private affair.

No other drivers or team members were present.

It was just the Antonellis and the Senna family.

That intimacy added to the emotional weight.

Antonelli chose to share only one photo initially.

Paula Senna later shared more images from her perspective.

Together they told the full story of the meeting.