Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen will compete in a special Brazil-themed helmet at this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, swapping his usual red, white, and blue livery for the green, yellow, and blue of the Brazilian flag.
Verstappen revealed the new design via Instagram, captioning the update with: “Bringing some samba to São Paulo.” According to motorsport.com, this isn’t a one-off gesture for the Red Bull driver; he has a history of celebrating this specific race with a new helmet design. Last year, he added gold and green accents to his usual lion motif, describing the race as “special” at the time.
Verstappen Maintains Momentum While Mercedes Adopts Purple Suits
- Driver Form Factor: Verstappen enters the weekend following a victory in Mexico, his sixth win in that race, maintaining high momentum.
- Mercedes Tactical Shift: Kimi Antonelli and George Russell will wear purple racing suits for Mercedes across the weekend.
Verstappen Maintains Ties to Brazil Through Family and Friends
The decision to adopt Brazilian colors is deeply rooted in Verstappen’s personal and professional ties to the region. His partner, Kelly Piquet, is the daughter of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet, providing a direct familial link to Brazil’s racing heritage. Verstappen says Audi’s Brazilian driver, Gabriel Bortoleto, is a close friend.
In 2016, during only his second F1 season, he demonstrated elite wet-weather car control by climbing from 16th place with 16 laps remaining to secure a third-place finish.
Since that breakout performance, Verstappen has won at Interlagos three times, in 2019, 2023, and 2024. His 2024 triumph is often regarded as one of the greatest drives of his career, as he started 17th in heavy rain and won for the first time in months.
| Year | Verstappen’s Interlagos Result | Key Context |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1st | Victory |
| 2023 | 1st | Victory |
| 2024 | 1st | Won from 17th on the grid in heavy rain |
Mercedes Drivers Honor Senna with Purple Suits and Special Helmets
Verstappen is not the only driver utilizing the weekend to honor the cultural significance of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. As motorsport.com notes, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli will also wear a special helmet as a tribute to Ayrton Senna, while he and George Russell will wear purple suits for Mercedes across the weekend.
While Antonelli has already clinched his title, a win at a track where Verstappen has so often excelled would be another strong result for the Red Bull driver to take into the final rounds of the season.
The upcoming sessions at Interlagos will test whether Verstappen’s proven success at the circuit can translate into another strong result as the season enters its final, decisive stages.
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