F1: Kimi Antonelli’s request falls on deaf ears; the announcement leaves thousands of fans disheartened
Upon returning to Italy as world champion, Kimi Antonelli had told reporters that he hoped to end the season at the Imola circuit, in front of his home crowd. “It would be wonderful to end the season with a home race—a dream,” the Bologna-born driver had said upon his arrival at Marconi Airport: that dream, however, will remain just that because FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has confirmed that the season’s final two Grand Prix races, in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, will not be moved despite concerns about instability in the Middle East.
For thousands of Italian fans, Antonelli’s words—spoken as the newly crowned world champion—had kindled a spark of hope: Imola could have become the ideal stage to celebrate Antonelli’s first world title—a driver who grew up just a few kilometers from the circuit and was greeted, upon his return to Italy, by the affection of a huge community of fans.
That hope, however, did not become a reality. “We’re ready for Qatar and Abu Dhabi,” Ben Sulayem wrote on his social media channels. “We’re ready and determined to deliver two exceptional race weekends and a spectacular conclusion to the Formula 1 World Championship. We can’t wait to welcome drivers, teams, and fans to two iconic circuits for an unforgettable season finale,” added the Federation’s head.
This clear message, coming after days of uncertainty linked to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, confirms the stance already taken by the MotoGP World Championship, which held the Qatar Grand Prix as scheduled just a few days ago. The FIA has therefore decided not to change the calendar: the races at Lusail and Yas Marina will remain the final two rounds of the season, bringing the World Championship to a close in the Middle East.
Italian fans, who have made no secret of their great disappointment on social media, will therefore have to settle for watching the last two races of the season from afar, from the floodlights of Qatar to the now-traditional finale in Abu Dhabi, knowing that Kimi Antonelli’s biggest celebration won’t have the feel of home turf—at least as far as the track is concerned. What remains, however, is an image already etched in history: Antonelli, the world champion, returning to Italy to the well-deserved applause of fans and enthusiasts.
