‘The first time I saw it I was completely in love’: Gabriel Bortoleto on his Senna tribute helmet

Originally set to be used solely for the Imola and Monte Carlo race weekends in May earlier this year, Gabriel Bortoleto’s Ayrton Senna tribute helmet is now on full display until the end of 2024 as his main design for the season.
The Invicta Racing driver talks us through the design, the process of involving the Senna family and the pride he feels wearing the famous colours of the three-time Formula 1 world champion and Brazil every time he gets in the car.
“The base of this layout is a tribute to Ayrton Senna. He is my idol, for me, the greatest driver of all time. I used this helmet in Imola and Monaco, expecting it to be just for those two rounds, but it was so special and with the feeling I have with this helmet – I did some good results wearing this helmet and then I got my first win, it’s just very, very special to use it.
“It’s a Bell helmet. The layout itself is my own layout and one I’ve used throughout the years. The helmet is made by Art INFINITY, who is a Brazilian painter.
“Since my first helmet I’ve ever had, I’ve worked with them. It’s complicated sometimes to go back with the helmets to Brazil, paint the helmets and then go back to Europe, but I make the effort to do it because I have a loyalty to them because they’ve always painted my helmets and came up with the design and I’m very proud to still be with them and to have Luciano, the guy who paints the helmets, to create and innovate with every helmet I have.
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“I’ve got the wings on the sides of the helmet. I also have my signature on the left side, and you can see the wings just after the ‘GB’. It’s something I’ve kept since the first helmet I ever had, I really like it, and I think it’s a nice touch.
“On the front of the helmet is also similar to what I’ve had since I was very young. It looks very aggressive, the lines pointing inwards towards the eyes. Green lining, I think it looks nice with the colours of the helmet. The most important part for me is the Brazilian flag. The colours of Brazil and what I’m very, very proud to represent.
“I have the ‘S’ for the Senna logo on the top of the helmet, just above another wing. Then his face and the Senna, 30 Years, just on the back.
“There’s the Brazilian flag and I always keep my signature on this side of the helmet. It’s very special for me. It’s actually funny the history behind that signature because it wasn’t even me who came up with it. It was the designer of the helmet. We were just having a funny day and saying I needed a better signature, and he started to invent some stuff and actually this was the first one he came up with and we kept it. I think it’s very cool, something that’s a bit of my personality as well, and I really like it.
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“It’s amazing. They (The Senna Family) not only said I could wear it, but they were very happy. I spoke to Bruno and other members of the family, and they were taking pictures of the helmet and were super, super happy with it. It’s nice to wear his colours but it’s also nice to have that support from the Senna family knowing that I’m wearing their logo and the colours of him. It’s super nice and I’m very thankful.
“On my side, the first time I saw the helmet I was completely in love with it. The best one I’ve had. The reaction of fans when they see it – the reaction in the pit lane when members of the public see it, they’re always taking photos of the helmet or when I’m putting it on, a lot of people come to see it and I’m sure the reason is because it’s a Senna helmet. For everyone, it’s very special.
“I still like the side and the wings the most. They’re mine and while the helmet is made as a tribute, it’s still my personality that’s coming through and we did a good mix. I’m very proud to have that there and I don’t think I’d ever change that in my career. It’s something I’ve kept since my very first helmet and a part that I love the most.”