Antonelli's love for Bologna: from a childhood dream to a cup celebration

Bologna has invited Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli to celebrate his title with the club. The Mercedes driver became the youngest world champion in F1 history on Sunday in Mexico. The 20-year-old, the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari, grew up in Bologna.

As a child, Antonelli dreamed of playing as a striker. He describes running a lot on the pitch during that period, and that his stamina stood out more than his technique. His father Marco took him to Bologna matches when he was young, and today he regularly takes his seat in the stands at the Dall'Ara. He was also in the stadium in February 2025, when his team beat Como 2-0.

The young driver's first football idol was Lionel Messi. During the Argentine star's best years, he was a Barcelona supporter. In the days when Bologna beat Milan to win the Coppa Italia in May 2025, he was preparing for the Imola Grand Prix. He could not go to Rome, but he joined the celebrations on the streets of Bologna.

That same weekend, then head coach Vincenzo Italiano and captain Lorenzo De Silvestri visited him in the Imola paddock. The club presented him with a signed Bologna shirt. In return, Antonelli gave them a Mercedes shirt.