Manuel Fantini's eyes are wide with excitement. There's a broad grin on his face.

Fantini is recalling the first time he saw Kimi Antonelli behind the wheel of a car - well, a go-kart.

"When I first saw him, I said: 'Mamma mia, chi diavolo è questo?' In English that means, 'Oh Mama, who the hell is this one?'"

"He was six years old. When you go to the track for the first time, it's normal you go too fast and take turns the wrong way.

"But he was improving with each lap, like he'd known the track for years. At the end of that day, he was faster than the others and with a kart slower than them. Absurd! Incredible!"

Fantini is speaking to BBC Sport in a small cafe in Forli, Bologna. The autumnal sun creates a glare as the light bounces off the sign of the adjacent racetrack - Galliano Park.

Owned by the Fantini family for almost 30 years, it's where Antonelli first climbed into a go-kart. It had to be adapted because he wasn't tall enough to reach the throttle or brake pedals.

"His priority was being better - not being faster," says Fantini. "That is the key in motorsport to be a champion.

"Everyone thinks you must be fast, but the approach of Kimi is the correct approach.

"He had something immediately in his veins that was not normal. If you're only fast, you can hurt yourself or make mistakes."

A former racer himself, Fantini says he is proud to have been a small part in Antonelli's journey to becoming Formula 1's youngest world champion.

He is sure the 20-year-old's achievement will lift the whole country - but even more so the people of Bologna, where Antonelli was born and still visits regularly.

"I am very proud of him," says Fantini. "And I'm very proud of his parents because the most difficult thing nowadays is when you have so much talent, to keep the kid safe and with humility.

"I see the same incredible person. He is so natural, so funny and good as a kid. But when he puts on the helmet… pay attention."

It has been 73 years since Italy had a Formula 1 drivers' champion. For a country synonymous with speed, it's been a torturous experience.

Perhaps the highlight of Antonelli's season was winning the Italian Grand Prix from 19th on the grid - showing the mastery and bravery many predict will mean he dominates the sport for years to come.

After victory at Monza, Antonelli was pictured eating pasta out of his winner's trophy. The dish - tagliatelle al ragu - was a nod to his Bolognese roots and a region famed for its cuisine.

About an hour from Forli is Bologna's city centre. Down a side street is Trattoria dal Biassanot - a restaurant in which Antonelli regularly dines.

You might think its walls would be littered with photos of his visits, but there is not a single one.

Owner Luca Bugamelli explains: "Kimi is just one of us. We've known Kimi since he was a child. He comes here with his father, mother and sister and there's a lot of moments we eat at the same table.

"This region loves motorsport. Kimi is the God of the land."

Antonelli's rapid rise has given Italians something of a dilemma, though.

Italy is famed for circuits including Imola and Monza, and is home to two of the world's most famous high-performance car manufacturers - Ferrari and Lamborghini.

When it comes to F1, it's almost sporting blasphemy for an Italian to cheer on anyone but Ferrari - but Antonelli drives for the German-owned Mercedes team.

"I had some friends that went to Monza - and probably for the first time in the history, the crowd is split for Ferrari and Kimi," says Paolo - a resident of Bologna we encounter proudly wearing a Ferrari-emblazoned jumper.

"Kimi walks around the city sometimes. He'll go to the stadium to watch Bologna Football Club. He's very integrated in the city. I saw him last month in a bar."

As well as endearing himself to lifelong motorsport fans, Antonelli has also amassed a legion of non-aficionados thanks - in large part - to his social media presence.

The shops and billboards of Bologna are not yet littered with his image - but his achievement is far reaching.

"I feel very proud that a person from these streets could be so famous and win so many things," says Somaya - a 20-year-old student.

"It makes me feel proud to be from here. It's inspiring."

Italy is beaming with pride. All thanks to a boy from Bologna who became a man in Monza before sealing his F1 fairytale by clinching the world title in Mexico.