'Mamma mia Kimi!' Italy erupts after Antonelli becomes country's 1st F1 champion in 73 years

MILAN (AP) — Italy erupted with joy after 20-year-old Kimi Antonelli became the nation's first Formula 1 world champion in 73 years. Antonelli achieved his historic milestone on Sunday, finishing third in the Mexico City Grand Prix to secure the title with four races remaining. Despite not driving for Ferrari, Italy's most iconic racing brand, Antonelli's triumph resonated across the country.

Nearly every Italian newspaper featured Antonelli on their front page, with many depicting him alongside former champions Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, or simply with the Italian flag. La Repubblica, one of Italy's leading dailies, described how Antonelli "cried, smiled, cried with him." The athlete's emotional journey, from sobbing on the podium to celebrating his victory, was a source of national pride.

The first Italian champion in the F1 title since Alberto Ascari in 1953, Antonelli's achievement was met with admiration from fellow sports figures. Tennis star Jannik Sinner hailed Antonelli as "the youngest world champion in the history of Formula 1," while fellow athlete Valentino Rossi expressed pride in Antonelli's accomplishment.

Olympic champion swimmer Federica Pellegrini noted that Antonelli had added a significant chapter to Italian sports. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni congratulated Antonelli on social media, emphasizing his extraordinary milestone and the reward of talent, commitment, determination, and dedication. Antonelli's hometown of Bologna honored him with the Nettuno d'Oro, the city's highest civic award.

Antonelli's friends described him as a "quiet, normal guy," which adds to his appeal among F1 enthusiasts. F1 fan Massimo Rosti, who witnessed Antonelli's victory at a watch party in San Marino, remarked on the rarity of such an emotional reaction to a driver, calling Antonelli "truly special" and a "guy-next-door" with a down-to-earth personality.

His mother, Veronica, highlighted his grounded nature by noting that he still receives monthly pocket money.