Kimi Antonelli is world champion, ending a 73-year barren spell for Italian drivers - but why has Italy had to wait so long for more title success? That’s the topic of conversation in the latest episode of The Race F1 Rewind, which explores the reasons why Alberto Ascari’s world title in 1953 - Italy’s third championship in four years - proved the last one until Antonelli came along.
We explore why Ferrari became increasingly reluctant to run Italian drivers, the shifts in the motorsport cultural landscape that led to fewer Italian drivers getting opportunities, and where the Italian drivers that did break into F1 were lacking. Plus there’s chat about how Italy’s emergence as the centre of the karting universe had the perverse effect of limiting car racing opportunities for Italian drivers. And finally, Edd and Mark hit fast forward to discuss whether Antonelli’s success will herald a new era of success for a country with such deep motor racing roots.
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