Kimi Antonelli gave Italian President Sergio Mattarella his signed helmet at the Quirinale in Rome on Nov. 13 and invited him to watch a race at Monza.
The visit capped a busy week at home for the href=”https://www.motorbiscuit.com/formula-1/” data-type=”link” data-id=”https://www.motorbiscuit.com/formula-1/”>F1 champion. The Mercedes driver clinched the title in Mexico but only got back to Italy after the Brazilian Grand Prix. When his private jet landed in Bologna, the airport’s control tower congratulated him.
On Nov. 12, he was made a Commander of the Order of Saint Agatha (Ordine Equestre di Sant’Agata), one of San Marino’s state honors, at the Palazzo Pubblico, the country’s government palace.
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San Marino’s parliament approved the honor for his F1 title. Commander is the third-highest of the order’s five ranks, and it was presented by the Captains Regent, the country’s two joint heads of state. A day later, Antonelli went to see Mattarella with his father, mother and sister.
Antonelli Invited Mattarella to Monza
The helmet carried the dedication “To President Mattarella, with great admiration.” The meeting took place at the Quirinale, the presidential palace in Rome, where Antonelli also talked Mattarella through the heat drivers face in the car.
“You lose roughly a couple of kilograms,” Antonelli said. “We have the fireproof suit, which is also hot. We train to be as ready as we can and to be able to withstand the heat we experience when we drive. But then, after the session, you jump into a tub of cold water.
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“In karts, a little less so. You are much more out in the open. In a single-seater you are enclosed. But in F2, the races last a little less and are less physical. In Formula 1 the race lasts an average of an hour and a half. But will you come and see some races next year? Maybe at Monza? It would be very nice to have you with us.”
Mattarella replied: “I really hope so. Now Formula 1 attracts me a lot! The last time was several years ago. It is always complicated, because my movements are complex… But this new situation [Antonelli’s competitiveness] greatly encourages me.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli and family with Italian President Sergio Mattarella. Image Credit: Presidenza della Repubblica
Antonelli Has Had a Hectic Week at Home
Antonelli also went to Italy’s soccer match against France at Milan’s San Siro stadium, where the crowd chanted his name. And he has kept his promise of dyeing his hair, which he showed off on a visit to Mercedes’ bases at Brackley and Brixworth.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
