Former Formula 1 driver Bruno Senna has reflected on Kimi Antonelli’s recent visit to his family’s estate, which included testing a custom karting track designed by his late uncle, three-time World Champion Ayrton Senna. Speaking on the official F1 Beyond The Grid podcast as reported by Formula1.com, Bruno Senna shared details of the 20-year-old’s trip following his maiden Drivers’ Championship in Mexico City.
Exploring the Senna Estate
During his visit, Antonelli sat in the Lotus 98T driven by Ayrton Senna during the 1986 season and toured the room where the legendary Brazilian racer built model airplanes. Bruno Senna noted that Antonelli did not want to leave the car while exploring its manual gearstick, turbo boost knob, and anti-roll bar controls. He added that Antonelli’s height was a perfect fit for the vintage machine, prompting discussions about potentially organizing a drive in a historic Lotus or McLaren in the future.
The visit also included driving on the private go-kart track designed by Ayrton Senna. Bruno Senna praised Antonelli’s remarkable speed and consistency on the dusty, stone-filled circuit, noting that the young driver maintained precise control while staying within a narrow groove.
Family Passion and Humility
Bruno Senna recalled that Antonelli’s father, Marco, arrived at the estate with teary eyes, having shared a lifelong passion for motorsport with his son. He noted that Antonelli drew deep inspiration once he understood Ayrton Senna’s character both on and off the track.
Praising Antonelli’s grounded demeanor, Bruno Senna highlighted how difficult it is to remain humble in the high-pressure environment of Formula 1. He also commended other young drivers such as Gabi Bortoleto, Ollie Bearman, and Pierre Gasly for maintaining their natural attitudes and staying true to themselves.
Fans can listen to the full interview on the F1 Beyond The Grid podcast via audio streaming platforms, the F1 website, or watch the episode on the official F1 YouTube channel.
