Brazilian Soccer Legend Left Swooning as $140 Worth Gift From Esteban “Oconzinho” Wins Heart Before Sao Paulo GP

Formula 1 has become increasingly popular due to the drivers being able to show off their personalities a lot more. Whether it’s Ricciardo’s never-ending banter with his teammates or Sebastian Vettel’s campaign to save the bees. The sport has a plethora of mixed characters that are just now getting comfortable with the media. Which is why Esteban Ocon was all smiles in Brazil, home to the most passionate supporters of a sport he loves profoundly!

While the Brazilian GP is well-known for the brilliant entertainment it produces during races, another sport trumps it all when it comes to Brazil. Esteban Ocon did not have the best weekend at Interlagos. He first had a scary collision with Fernando Alonso during the sprint shootout, following which he lost out to teammate Pierre Gasly during the race. Although his weekend was far from ideal, Ocon had just the right tribute in mind to make the event special for both fans of F1 and football!

Esteban Ocon honors Marta Silva at the Brazilian GP

The Frenchman took to Instagram to share a delightful helmet design that incorporated Brazillian colors along with an ‘Oconzinho’ monicker on the back as if it were a soccer jersey. In a world full of sponsor logos, the clean and simple design was a refreshing sight for fans. However, the ultimate winner was a well-known Brazilian icon in the world of soccer, Marta Vieira da Silva.

Known just as Marta by her adoring Brazilian fans, the soccer player rocking the No. 10 jersey is arguably the greatest female player the sport has ever witnessed. The legend was in attendance at the Brazilian GP, which is when Esteban Ocon took a moment to surprise her with an adorable personal gift!

In a post shared by @teamestebanocon on Instagram, the pair were photographed smiling ear to ear as Esteban Ocon honored Marta Silva by presenting her with a 1/2 scale miniature helmet, worth 140$!

It was the very same tribute helmet Ocon had teased on Instagram earlier, personally signed by him. The Brazilian legend could be seen rocking the Alpine team colors and was ecstatic after receiving such a cute gift, regardless of the price tag.

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While Esteban Ocon captured the very essence of what the Brazilian GP stands for with his helmet design, there were a few other notable ones!

Pierre Gasly trumps Ocon’s helmet design with a wholesome message

Amongst the other drivers on the grid rocking a one-off helmet was none other than Ocon’s fellow national, Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman’s helmet included heart-felt messages from friends and family, littered over a sparkling black and white canvas.

From wishing him the best of luck for the weekend to other personal comments, one that stood out the most had a lot more to do with family than racing! Gasly took to Instagram to share, “Special design from my best friends. Joked about it during the summer break, and there it is. Can’t describe how happy I am to discover I’m gonna be a Godfather for the first time!” Pierre Gasly’s smile said it all! He was ecstatic to find out that he was going to be the godfather to Baby Marceau!

Another heartfelt tribute was showcased by Lewis Hamilton, paying homage to hometown hero and his biggest idol, Ayrton Senna. The seven-time world champion also rocked the Brazilian National team colors from 1994 as well as a Senna tribute jacket! The fans were left immensely pleased by the trio’s craftsmanship!

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On a weekend when both Alpine drivers finished in the points with Gasly leading the charge in P7, their one-off helmet designs topped it all off!