«Magari a Monza, sarebbe bello», ha detto Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The Formula 1 world champion was received at the Quirinale Palace in Rome by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Avvenire reported, following his historic motorsport title win.
Wearing a dark suit with his hair returned to its natural color—though the President likely would not have objected to the white, red, and green dye he sported for a couple of days—the 20-year-old Mercedes driver shared a relaxed exchange with the head of state. Mattarella said that his own travel has been complicated for several years, but added that Antonelli’s championship success provides a strong incentive.
Antonelli attended the official visit alongside his parents and sister. During the meeting, the young driver presented the President with a race helmet featuring a signed dedication on the visor reading, «al presidente Mattarella con molta ammirazione».
After weighing the helmet in his hands, Mattarella observed that «deve essere una liberazione quando lo togliete», as Avvenire reported. Antonelli confirmed that competing for an hour and a half in safety gear and a heavy fireproof suit is physically demanding.
«Noi perdiamo almeno un paio di chili a gara», Antonelli explained to the President, adding that drivers often plunge into cold water baths after hot races. Responding to a question from Mattarella, he said that driving go-karts in his youth involved much less physical strain because drivers are exposed to the air rather than enclosed in a cockpit.
The visit to the Quirinale caps a whirlwind week of honors for the young driver. In San Marino, where he has lived with his family for several years, he received the title of commander, and on the evening before the presidential visit, he received a standing ovation from the crowd at San Siro while attending the Italy-France Nations League match.
«Ci ha fatto uno splendido regalo a venire», said Giovanni Malagò, extraordinary commissioner of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
Antonelli will soon return to the Formula 1 calendar with three races remaining in the season, beginning next week in Las Vegas.
