Kimi Antonelli praised by ACI president after record-equalling Belgian GP victory. Geronimo La Russa hails Kimi Antonelli after sixth F1 victory of the season.

ACI Sport president Geronimo La Russa has congratulated Kimi Antonelli after the Bologna-born talent completed an outstanding Formula 1 weekend by winning at Spa-Francorchamps.

During a summer in which Italian football is at a standstill, watching other nations compete in the World Cup on the American continent, Jannik Sinner — the recent Wimbledon champion — and Formula 1 championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli are keeping Italy at the centre of the sporting spotlight.

The latest congratulations were directed towards the Mercedes driver from Bologna following another masterpiece in a season that increasingly appears to be establishing him as a highly credible contender for the Formula 1 world title. Geronimo La Russa, president of the Automobile Club d’Italia, was quick to dedicate a message to the 19-year-old Italian.

“Kimi Antonelli has confirmed once again that he is an outstanding talent. As though any further proof were needed, a new record illustrates the ability of the young driver: with his sixth victory of the season today in Belgium, he has matched the legendary Alberto Ascari, who achieved the same number of wins during a single Formula 1 season in 1952.”

The ACI Sport president has already turned his attention towards the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza, which he believes “will be a great celebration of the Italian colours”.

“It was another exceptional Sunday for Italian motorsport,” added the president of Italy’s motorsport federation, “made even more special by the excellent performance of Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, which is making our country an increasingly prominent protagonist in Formula 1.”

“The quality and strength of the young talent from Bologna,” Geronimo La Russa concluded, “can be measured not only on the track through the extraordinary results he has achieved this year, but also through the emotion and pride he inspires in the hearts of spectators and television viewers every weekend. The Italian national anthem is increasingly providing the crowning moment to his sporting achievements.”