Alfabeto Antonelli, the champion everyone loves

From Bologna to the world. A very long journey that was actually very short, because in just over 20 years Andrea Kimi Antonelli has achieved what no Italian had managed to do for 73 years. He needs just two points and, if he can also overcome the ‘Montezuma’s curse’ that struck him as soon as he landed in Mexico, he will become world champion. Mexico and clouds: the fiesta is right here, where his dad, mum and little sister will also arrive to celebrate alongside the whole of Italy, which has found a new Sinner, a new Tomba, a new Valentino. So let’s take a little journey into his world:

A as in AKA. Andrea Kimi Antonelli. His initials, his autograph. His calling card. With ‘Kimi’, a middle name that became his first name – a name born from the advice of a pilot friend of his father’s (Enrico Bertaggia), who, for some reason, decided to suggest a racing driver’s name.

B for Bologna. His city and also his favourite football team. It remains to be seen whether next time he will still be able to take to the streets to celebrate a victory with his friends.

C as in schoolmates. The ones he took to the track at Imola and with whom he chose to sit his A-levels. Just like everyone else, even though he had already claimed his first Formula 1 podium.

D as in twelve. The number chosen in honour of Senna, who has always been his role model both on and off the track. A number 12 that has always accompanied him in his single-seaters and which he will not abandon even when he is able to wear the number one as world champion.

And then there’s empathy. That quality that allows him to touch people’s hearts. He has even managed to win the affection of the champions he has beaten on the track. It’s not something everyone can achieve: to enter a sport, become a winner and be loved.

F as in Ferrari. His good fortune was that rejection from Ferrari when he was a child. But in the future, who knows? Anyone born in Bologna is, after all, a Ferrari fan at heart. As long as it’s a winning Ferrari. Of course, the real coup would be to bring Kimi and Toto to Maranello.

G for parents. His strength. Marco and Veronica raised him with sound principles and fair rules, and now they protect him just as they do his little sister Maggie, whom they have never made feel jealous. “But don’t go saying we’re a picture-perfect family,” they say.

H for Hamilton. The seven-time world champion whose place he has taken at Mercedes without making him regret it. But also the man who left him a lovely message on the walls of the motorhome.

Like engineers. He jokes about it, he laughs it off, but when it’s time to get serious, Kimi becomes an invaluable resource and, like an experienced driver, knows how to explain to the engineers how to improve the car.

J as in ‘joker’. That’s what Mercedes drew when they signed him, even though he wasn’t yet 12 years old. They nurtured him every step of the way, investing around ten million in his development. One of the most successful investments in sport. And as Toto Wolff says: “With Kimi, we didn’t take any risks; we knew how far he would go.”

K for go-kart. It all began when he’d only just learnt to walk. He’s never got off it since.

L for lasagne. If it’s not tagliatelle or tortellini, then it’s lasagne (which he brought for the whole team at the Italian Grand Prix). After all, you’re born a Bolognese.

M as in mum. Mum is always mum, even for a world champion. To his mum Veronica, who doesn’t watch the races on the telly but follows them on the timing screen, he’ll always be ‘Topo’. Or ‘Andy’ at a push. In short, her little boy.

N as in numbers. His figures this year are impressive: 9 wins, 3 second places and 3 third places in 18 races. A sensational average.

In other words, his objective was clear: to reach Formula 1. He achieved it. He then aimed to win the World Championship. That, too, is virtually accomplished. And what lies ahead? Simply to maintain his winning streak. A new thirty-million contract is already awaiting him. This is just the beginning.

P for Dad. Marco is more than just a parent. In the history of Formula 1, there has never been a father and son so close, so in tune with one another right up to the starting grid, just minutes before the race begins.

Q for quality. It has plenty of it. It’s fast, user-friendly, smart and intuitive. A list that could go on forever – or almost forever.

R for record. The latest record he will set will be that of the youngest person to have won the world championship at the age of 20 years, 2 months and 7 days. In the meantime, he has become the youngest driver to lead a Grand Prix, the youngest to set a fastest lap, the youngest to take pole position in a Sprint race, the youngest to take pole position in a Grand Prix, the youngest leader of the World Championship, the youngest to achieve a Grand Slam, and the youngest winner of the Monaco and Italian Grands Prix. And we’ve certainly forgotten something.

S stands for San Marino. The place where he moved his residence for obvious tax reasons. Closer to Bologna than to Monte Carlo, which would like to count him amongst its subjects.

T stands for tagliatelle. A mother’s recipe is widely regarded as the best in the world – ideal for celebrating a first Formula 1 victory and, ultimately, the return of the World Championship title. Should one grow tired of them, tortellini remain a reliable alternative.

U for ‘man’. At 20, he already displays adult maturity, although he still enjoys playful banter and retains the light-heartedness of his age. A man calls a woman, but for now Kimi has other priorities and his first romance was brief.

V for Verstappen. Someone who, like him, has eyes only for engines and would race every day of the week. The challenge of the future? Perhaps. But whatever happens, they’ll remain friends.

W for Wolff. Toto. His second father, his boss, his sponsor, his mentor. Mr Mercedes was once an ‘enemy’ of Italy; today he is one of our best friends.

X as in XXL. It’s not his size, of course – you only have to see him when he strikes a pose alongside the NBA giants. But his talent is certainly extra-large, a talent he has nurtured with consistency and dedication.

Y as in yacht. He does not own one yet, but this summer he hired one to go on holiday with his friends and his father, who acted as a DJ for the occasion. A few days later, he travelled to Sardinia to go go-karting as well.

Z as in zeta. His generation. A digital native who prefers radio-controlled cars and water pistols to his mobile phone. As those who raised him explain: he preferred reading his lap times on the track to playing games or using social media on his mobile phone.