F1 champion Antonelli gives Mattarella a dedicated helmet in Rome

Newly crowned Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli met Italian president Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale in Rome on Friday, presenting him with one of his official helmets. The visor bore the message, “To President Mattarella, with great admiration.” Antonelli was accompanied by his parents, Marco and Veronica, and his sister Maggie.

The meeting came amid celebrations for the title Antonelli had won at the Mexico Grand Prix two weeks earlier. That victory ended a wait dating back to 1953 for an Italian driver to become Formula 1 world champion.

Antonelli also described the physical demands of racing to Mattarella. He said drivers lose roughly two kilograms, their fireproof suits are hot, and they train to withstand the heat. After a session, he said, they take a cold-water bath.

Asked about Formula 2 and karting, Antonelli said karting is less physically demanding, while F2 races are shorter and less physical. A Formula 1 race lasts an average of an hour and a half, he said.

Antonelli invited Mattarella to attend a race at Monza next year. The president said he hoped to go, though he noted that his movements are complicated; his last visit to a race was several years earlier. Mattarella said Formula 1 now attracted him greatly and that Antonelli’s competitiveness encouraged him.