Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes it is premature to compare newly crowned Formula One world champion Kimi Antonelli to Ayrton Senna. The Italian driver secured his maiden world title at the Mexican Grand Prix and recently helped Mercedes clinch their ninth constructors’ championship.
Childhood Idol and Car Number
The 20-year-old Antonelli grew up watching race footage of Senna and drew inspiration from the three-time world champion, who tragically died in a crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Honoring the Brazilian, Antonelli adopted the No 12 for his car, the same number Senna used during the early years of his career. Despite earning the right to use the No 1 as the reigning world champion, Antonelli intends to keep the No 12 next season.
High expectations surround the young driver to achieve multiple world championships, but Wolff cautioned against applying such heavy pressure. Speaking in Brazil, Wolff stated that Senna remains a giant of the sport in terms of his character and racing ability, making comparisons to a 20-year-old unfair. Wolff noted, “He’s Kimi; Senna was Senna.”
Meeting the Senna Family
Ahead of the race at Interlagos, Antonelli visited the Brazilian driver’s grave and was welcomed by the Senna family at their estate. He shared a photo online of himself sitting inside Senna’s Lotus 98T, which carried the No 12 when Senna won the Spanish and Detroit Grands Prix in 1986. Antonelli expressed that he would keep those memories with him forever after Senna’s niece, Paula, presented him with a sculpture she created of her uncle and praised his special character.
Wolff expressed gratitude for the warm reception from the Senna family, who affectionately referred to the young driver as “Senninha,” meaning “little Senna,” which also serves as the name of a comic book based on the legendary driver. Wolff mentioned that the family expressed it was the first time someone resembled a second Senna. Wolff concluded that Antonelli is currently a “Senninha” rather than a full Senna, allowing the young driver time to develop.
Although Mercedes secured both titles with three races remaining and possessed the fastest car during the opening half of the season, Wolff does not anticipate a prolonged period of dominance comparable to their previous run of eight constructors’ and seven drivers’ titles between 2014 and 2021, noting that Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari have caught up.
