A double dose of nostalgia: Franco Colapinto and Kimi Antonelli carry different pieces of Ayrton Senna’s legendary legacy on the 2026 grid. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
COMMENT
Call it a coincidence but it surely is strange that two drivers on the grid bear a striking resemblance to legendary F1 driver Ayrton Senna. One looks similar in aesthetics, the other in ability behind the wheel. Step forward Franco Colapinto and Kimi Antonelli.
Formula One has spent more than three decades searching for the next Senna. Not necessarily the next three-time world champion, but the next driver capable of capturing imaginations in the same way the Brazilian icon did.
Now, somehow, the sport has ended up with two. The most obvious comparison is Colapinto. The Argentine has become a social media favourite largely because of how much he resembles Senna physically.
From the dark hair and sharp jawline to the intense stare and effortless charisma, photos of the pair placed side-by-side have left fans doing double takes. It is not just a passing resemblance either.
The similarities have become a recurring talking point among fans, with many arguing that if Senna were racing today, he might look remarkably similar to the Alpine driver. Then there is Antonelli.
The young Italian does not necessarily share Senna's facial features, but his career trajectory is beginning to mirror that of the Brazilian legend in surprising ways. Like Senna, Antonelli announced himself as a generational talent long before arriving in Formula One. Like Senna, he quickly adapted to the biggest stage.
And like Senna, he has already shown an ability to combine raw speed with remarkable confidence under pressure. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has even admitted he is uncomfortable with the comparisons, largely because of the burden they place on a teenager still learning his trade.
That caution is understandable. Senna's legacy remains one of the most revered in motorsport history and comparisons can quickly become unfair. Yet the fascination persists.
Perhaps it is because Senna represented something larger than statistics and championships. He was a personality, a presence and a symbol of excellence. And in a curious twist of fate, F1 suddenly finds itself with two drivers carrying pieces of that legacy, one in appearance, the other in potential.
The Senna look, it seems, still belongs in F1.
Jehran Naidoo is sports reporter for Independent Media and social media coordinator of the our YouTube channel The Clutch