Italian President Sergio Mattarella welcomed Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli to the Quirinale in Rome this past Friday.
The meeting followed Antonelli’s recent victory at the Mexico Grand Prix, which ended a title drought for Italian drivers that had persisted since 1953, according to Yahoo Sports.
Antonelli was accompanied by his parents and his sister for the formal reception.
During the visit, the driver presented the president with an official helmet featuring a personal dedication inscribed on the visor, as noted by Motorsport.com.
The athlete explained the physical toll of racing to the president, noting that drivers often lose weight and endure high temperatures inside the cockpit.
“You lose roughly a couple of kilograms,” Antonelli said during the discussion reported by Yahoo Sports.
The conversation also touched upon the physical demands of different racing categories, with the driver noting that Formula 1 is significantly more strenuous than karting or Formula 2.
Antonelli extended an invitation for the president to attend a race next season, specifically suggesting the event at Monza.
President Mattarella expressed interest in attending, stating, “I really hope so. Now Formula 1 attracts me a lot!” as documented by Motorsport.com.
The president acknowledged that his complex schedule makes travel difficult but noted that the recent success of the Italian driver provides significant encouragement.
This meeting was part of a series of high-profile events for the champion, who recently celebrated his title in San Marino and attended a national football match.
Antonelli is now preparing to travel to Nevada to participate in the upcoming round of the 2026 Formula 1 season in Las Vegas, per reports from Yahoo Sports.
The athlete remains focused on maintaining his momentum as the championship season concludes.