Antonelli meets Italian president Mattarella in Rome

Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli was received by Italian president Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale in Rome on Friday, along with his parents Marco and Veronica and his sister Maggie. Antonelli gave the president one of his official helmets, with a dedication written on the visor.

During the meeting, Antonelli described the physical demands of driving a Formula 1 car, including losing around two kilograms in a race and the heat of the fireproof suit. Mattarella said he hoped to attend a race next year, and Antonelli invited him to Monza. The president said Antonelli's competitiveness encouraged him to return to the sport.

The meeting was one of several engagements following Antonelli's title win at the Mexico Grand Prix two weeks earlier, which ended a wait for an Italian world champion dating back to 1953. Antonelli was due to fly to Las Vegas for the third-to-last round of the 2026 season.