Kimi Antonelli barely wanted to leave Ayrton Senna’s 1986 Lotus 98T when he slipped into the cockpit at the Senna family estate in Brazil. Bruno Senna, the former Formula 1 driver and Ayrton’s nephew, described the moment on F1’s Beyond The Grid podcast, recalling how Antonelli explored every control in the iconic car.
“He didn’t want to leave the car,” Bruno said. “You had the turbo boost knob, and he’s exploring everything – having an anti-roll bar thing that you can change, and there’s a gearstick.”
Antonelli, who just clinched his first F1 world championship at the Mexican Grand Prix, became the youngest driver in series history to win the title. His visit to the Senna estate came days after that victory, where he also tested his skills on a go-kart track designed by Ayrton himself.
Bruno Senna said the Italian’s interest in the 98T gave him an idea for next year. “I was talking about next year when Lotus or McLaren want to do something, we can try to organise for him to drive one of these cars because he fits really well in the car,” Bruno added. “You know, his height is perfect for it. His dad was like, ‘I’m not sure if you can drive the manual car,’ and Kimi was like, ‘sure I can!’”
The go-kart session offered Bruno a chance to witness Antonelli’s talent up close. “Finally, we drove on the go-kart track that Ayrton designed. It was a really fun thing when I was a kid, and Kimi was incredible. He was so fast, so consistent. We had a fun time,” Bruno said.
He added that weight was a factor but not the only reason for the difference in pace. “I would say that I was slower because I’m 10kg heavier, but I think there’s a bit more than that in it, to be honest! He was amazing.”
Bruno described the track conditions as challenging, “very dirty, very full of stone.” Antonelli managed to create a groove and stick to it with precision. “He couldn’t move 10cm off because then you don’t even run wide – you go onto the grass and spin out because it was so dirty. It was a really cool experience and showed why he’s a world champion.”
The Lotus 98T is well known for its turbocharged power and manual controls, a far cry from today’s more electronic F1 cars. Ayrton Senna raced it in the 1986 season, and it remains one of the most iconic machines in F1 history. Antonelli’s enthusiasm for the car and confidence in driving it has encouraged Bruno to explore possibilities for next year.
Bruno Senna’s comments suggest an official run behind the wheel of Ayrton’s car is being considered, possibly involving Lotus or McLaren, the teams connected to the 98T’s history. Antonelli’s youth and stature make him a good fit for the car, which requires a physical and technical approach unlike modern F1 machines.
Antonelli arrived at the estate soon after securing his championship, a milestone that adds a new chapter to the Senna family story. The visit combined history with the future of F1, connecting Ayrton’s legacy to the new generation through Antonelli.
Bruno Senna’s plan to have Antonelli drive the Lotus 98T in Brazil next year remains unconfirmed but is being actively discussed. The opportunity would be a rare chance to see the reigning world champion handle a legendary car from an earlier era of Formula 1.
According to Yahoo Sports.
