On Saturday afternoon at the Auditorium della Conciliazione in Rome, the awards ceremony of the Campioni Italiani 2025, organized by ACI Sport, took place. During the event, which we attended by kind invitation of the ACI, the President of the Automobile Club d’Italia, Geronimo La Russa, also addressed the audience.
Shortly after appearing on stage, he joined us at our microphones for an in-depth conversation, during which he touched on several key topics for the future of Italian motorsport and of the ACI itself. Below, we report his words.
Two fundamental topics that are particularly close to President La Russa are the future of Monza in Formula 1 and the young Italian drivers who have stood out in various motorsport categories and are set to continue doing so in the years ahead.
La Russa has recently taken the helm of the Automobile Club d’Italia, having been elected in July 2025 and officially taking office just over seven days ago. He is called upon to carry on the legacy of Angelo Sticchi Damiani, who led the ACI for more than a decade. It is an important transition, as it comes at a delicate moment for Italian motorsport: from the renewal of Monza’s contract in the Formula 1 World Championship, to maintaining major international events on Italian soil, and the need to financially support sporting activities in a context of growing attention to sustainability and the energy transition. For La Russa, the challenge will therefore be twofold: to ensure continuity with the results achieved in recent years and, at the same time, to imprint his own strategic vision on the institution within an increasingly complex regulatory and political landscape.
Our interview began by asking him what goals he has set for his first 100 days in office and how he envisions the future of the ACI. Speaking about this, the President replied: "First of all, I feel great joy and satisfaction to be here today celebrating a 2025 season that, objectively, for those who follow motorsport, has been a particularly satisfying year."
"The solid debut of Kimi Antonelli in Formula 1, Fornaroli winning Formula 2 and being signed as McLaren’s third driver, speaking of Formula 1, but also the opportunity to host several world championship events on Italian soil: the confirmation of the World Rally Championship, the strong possibility of hosting the World Rallycross Championship, the retention of Monza in Formula 1, and hundreds of motorsport events at all levels."
Continuing, La Russa added: "A few days ago I attended international FIA meetings, and everyone reiterated that Italy is a leader in karting. We are truly a reference point. And karting means young people. If a federation invests in youth, it is a federation that is healthy for the future. So, to answer your question about the first 100 days: continue projecting this institution, which has just celebrated 120 years of history, into the future. As those before us did, by understanding intelligent investment and funding mechanisms, such as the PRA created in 1927, which will celebrate its centenary next year, and which has given Italians certainty over their primary asset — after the home, the car — while simultaneously providing significant financial support for all motorsport activities. That was certainly a wise decision that still allows us Italians to excel worldwide in this and in all motorsport disciplines. This is a great commitment for the future."
"Certainly, one of the first tasks is to reconstitute the commissions that are our tool to stay close to each discipline, to find people with enthusiasm, skill and professionalism who can help design the right regulations. Sometimes, as we also see in Formula 1, a comma changed in a regulation can have major effects, so great attention must be paid to this. My legal background can help: a mix of legal training, knowledge of motorsport and passion. And then, of course, to support the entire institution so that it can bring joy to sport, as I was saying earlier."
La Russa concluded this part of the conversation by addressing a topic very dear to many fans: Monza. Speaking about the central role of the Temple of Speed, he said: "With ACI we will continue to work to make Monza an essential fixture in the Formula 1 World Championship. The enthusiasm and festive atmosphere of last year’s edition, with a record 369,041 attendees, are the best testimony to the value and significance of this event. All this motivates us to collaborate with the relevant institutions to prepare the necessary formal acts to further extend the contract that binds Monza to Formula 1."
We thank President Geronimo La Russa and ACI for their courtesy and availability during the interview. Partial reproduction of this exclusive content is permitted provided that the author (Giuseppe Cianci) and the source Formula1.it are credited, with a link to the original content.
Read also: ACI premia a Roma i Campioni dell'Automobilismo 2025
Read also: Formula E takes a swipe at Verstappen: «If you're bored, call us»
Photo acisportspa.smugmug.com
