They didn’t believe him, but Antonelli really did dye his hair in the colours of the Italian flag
X/Mercedes
Kimi Antonelli promised to celebrate his title in a truly unusual way. The whole Mercedes factory celebrated on his return from Sao Paulo, and even before the weekend, the newly crowned champion had promised to mark the biggest achievement of his life with something out of the ordinary. Not everyone believed him, but Kimi kept his word.
Before the Sao Paulo weekend, Antonelli announced that he would dye his hair in the colours of the Italian flag. We do not know whether he discussed the idea with the management of his team, which was known in the past for its formal approach. Judging by the surprised faces all around, however, he seemingly did not ask for permission.
Valtteri Bottas, for example, once complained that he could not express himself at Mercedes. After leaving the team, he grew a mullet, remarking that Mercedes would not have allowed him to do anything like that.
Well, either company policy has changed in the meantime, or Antonelli can get away with something like this as the new champion. When he arrived at the factory for the title celebrations this week with the colours of the Italian flag on his head, he received a positive reaction.
Kimi did it. He actually did it 🇮🇹 🤣
Kimi had already promised to do it before the Brazilian weekend. “I’ve got the cans! Now I just have to decide whether to do it this weekend or maybe wait until next week when I go to the factory in Brackley and have to speak in front of all the employees. It would be fun to turn up there with dyed hair,” Antonelli said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Kimi ultimately chose the second option and did indeed arrive at Brackley for the celebrations this week with dyed hair. In doing so, he followed the example of another Italian national hero – Valentino Rossi, who did something similar in 1998.
“Standing here as World Champion is something I am still trying to understand. I joined Mercedes when I was very young and so many people have helped me at every stage of the journey,” Antonelli said at the title celebrations.
“Every time I get in the car, I know how many hours of work have gone into giving George and me the opportunity to perform. To come to Brackley and Brixworth and celebrate with everyone who has been part of that is very special,” the Italian driver continued.
“This season has had some incredible moments, but it has also demanded a lot from all of us. We kept pushing each other and kept improving. I am incredibly proud to be World Champion, but I am just as proud that together we have won the Constructors’ Championship. Thank you to everyone here, to my family and to everyone who has supported me along the way,” Antonelli added.
