Valentino Rossi on Kimi Antonelli: “He doesn’t need my advice”

In early September 2026, Formula 1 World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli wanted to wear a special helmet design for his home race at Monza. The result was a tribute to his homeland and to his mate Valentino Rossi.

Mercedes driver Antonelli opted for a design similar to the one the former motorcycling star wore at Mugello in 2002. Antonelli approached Rossi’s helmet painter, Aldo Drudi, for this.

Alongside the traditional Italian tricolour, the helmet features symbols typical of Italy – coffee, pizza, pasta, as well as a bidet, the colours of the Italian national football team, white underwear and family, and Rossi carrying Antonelli on his back.

Antonelli wrote about Rossi on his social media: “Vale was immediately thrilled that we were going to collaborate on my helmet. For me, Vale is a legend, a role model – and I’m lucky enough to call him my friend.”

Now Kimi Antonelli is working on creating his own legend: he could become the youngest Formula 1 champion in 77 years as early as the US Grand Prix in Texas.

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Even nine-time motorcycling world champion Valentino Rossi is deeply impressed, as he told Italian broadcaster Sky: “For Italian motorsport fans, it’s a dream come true, because we haven’t had such a strong Italian driver for many years.”

“For me, it’s absolutely brilliant to see him on his way to the title, because I’ve known him since he was very young. We used to go karting together, and seeing him win now fills me with great satisfaction.”

Rossi stated that he hadn’t been in touch with Kimi prior to Antonelli’s trip to Texas: “I reckon he’s got the situation under control. I’m sure I’ll hear from him before the race. But I don’t think he needs my advice.”