São Paulo Grand Prix: new world champion Antonelli to race Interlagos in Senna tribute helmet

Formula 1's new world champion Andrea Kimi Antonelli will return to Brazil as champion: at this weekend's São Paulo Grand Prix, November 6 to 8, the 20-year-old Mercedes driver will wear a special helmet honouring Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna at Interlagos.

The youngest world champion at 20 years and 68 days

Antonelli clinched the 2026 drivers' world championship with third place at the Mexico City Grand Prix on November 1, with four races still to go. At 20 years and 68 days, he is the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, breaking Sebastian Vettel's record of 23 years and 134 days set in 2010. He is also the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953, and he has done it in only his second Formula 1 season.

In Mexico City, Max Verstappen won the race ahead of Lewis Hamilton, with Antonelli third — enough to seal the title. Antonelli leads the drivers' standings with 380 points, while the fight for second remains open between George Russell, Hamilton, Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

A helmet for Senna's 1991 Brazilian win

Antonelli confirmed the helmet plan at the post-race press conference in Mexico City: the design marks the 35th anniversary of Senna's famous victory at the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix. The tribute runs deeper — Antonelli's car number 12 is itself a homage to Senna, who raced with number 12 at Lotus from 1985 to 1987 and in his 1988 championship-winning season with McLaren. Antonelli is the first champion to win the title with number 12 since Senna in 1988.

The São Paulo Grand Prix takes place at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Interlagos, over 71 laps of 4.309 kilometres, about 305.879 kilometres in total, with the race starting at 2 p.m. local time on Sunday, November 8. Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi follow. For Antonelli, Interlagos is his first race as world champion — and his first in front of Brazilian fans in Senna's home country.

The photo with this article is a file photo of the Interlagos circuit. Sources: F1headline and Sportscapemagazine reports, November 2, 2026.