DESTINED FOR THE TOP
Antonelli, who drives for Mercedes, is the son of a sports car racing father who took him to the track as a young boy.
He was taken on by Mercedes as an 11-year-old karter when his potential as a Formula 1 driver was apparent.
“After such a long time without an Italian winning, whether with Ferrari or with other teams, other constructors, it’s certainly a great thing,” said Giovanni, a worker in Rome.
Several hundred fans watched a screening of the grand prix late on Sunday at the Checco Costa Museum at the Imola F1 race track.
Although Imola is the home track of the Ferrari team, fans put that allegiance to one side to cheer for Antonelli whose third-place finish in Mexico was enough to seal the title.
Another watch-party was held in a cinema in Bologna.
The local Serie A soccer club joined in the celebrations, with a post on X reading “The whole of Bologna is proud of you”.
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