Bruno Senna recounts Kimi Antonelli’s emotional visit to Ayrton Senna’s family farm

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Bruno Senna has reflected on an emotional off-track moment for Kimi Antonelli, describing Antonelli’s visit to the Senna family farm and the way it connected to Ayrton Senna’s legacy. Senna, a former Formula 1 driver and the nephew of three-time World Champion Ayrton Senna, spoke about the trip in a new episode of the official F1 podcast “F1 Beyond The Grid.”

Senna said the invitation came shortly after Antonelli secured his maiden Drivers’ Championship in Mexico City. He described how Antonelli was welcomed to the Senna estate and given the chance to try a karting track designed by Ayrton. Senna also said Antonelli was able to sit in the Lotus 98T that Ayrton drove during the 1986 season, adding that the 20-year-old did not want to leave the car.

According to Senna, Antonelli met members of the Senna family during his visit. Senna said Antonelli walked the grounds “in the footsteps of his racing idol” and that Antonelli had previously been seen as a devoted supporter of Ayrton—along with Ayrton’s father, Marco. Senna stated that he first met Antonelli in Imola in 2024 and said Antonelli appeared fully “dressed from head to toe in Senna gear.”

The former driver also detailed what Antonelli experienced at the farm. Senna said the visit included time in the room where Ayrton carried out aeroplane model work, and Senna described Antonelli’s reaction as enthusiastic. He added that seeing Antonelli in the 1986 car included exploring controls such as a turbo boost knob and other adjustable elements, as well as getting comfortable with the gearstick.

Senna said the family also discussed whether Antonelli could drive the manual car, noting that Antonelli ultimately proved capable. “Finally, we drove on the go-kart track that Ayrton designed,” Senna said, describing it as a challenging surface that was “very dirty” and “very full of stone.” He said Antonelli was able to create and maintain a line through the conditions and consistently stay within a narrow groove, warning that leaving that path would lead to going onto grass and spinning out.

Senna characterized Antonelli’s karting performance as both fast and controlled, saying he was impressed by Antonelli’s ability to remain within the groove “so consistently.” Senna added that he felt he was slower than Antonelli—attributed partly to weight—while still praising the overall experience as “really cool” and as an example of why Antonelli is a World Champion.

Beyond the farm visit itself, Senna discussed what he believes helps Antonelli succeed on and off the track. Senna said that Antonelli’s humility stood out even while pursuing a title, recalling that Marco Senna arrived by helicopter with “teary eyes” because the moment exceeded expectations. Senna said Marco had previously driven when he was younger and believed he helped pass on a passion for racing to Antonelli.

Senna also spoke directly about the mindset required to remain grounded as Formula 1 fame grows. He said that in Formula 1 it is easy for minds to “explode,” because the environment can make drivers feel like “a god,” and he argued that humility is a difficult trait to combine with the right aggression and the right attitude. He pointed to young drivers who, in his view, demonstrate both confidence and restraint, naming Gabi Bortoleto, Ollie Bearman, and Pierre Gasly.

In the context of Ayrton Senna’s enduring influence, Senna framed Antonelli’s visit as more than a sentimental trip. He said understanding Ayrton “as a human being,” not only as a racing driver, inspired Antonelli—encouraging Antonelli’s ability to navigate the sport while still being himself. The comments were delivered as part of the episode’s discussion of Antonelli and the values Senna associates with his uncle’s legacy.