Gabriele Mini, 15, has been crowned the 2020 Italian Formula 4 champion, sealing the title with a round to spare.
Mini, who currently has a margin of 85 points over compatriot Francesco Pizzi, secured the title after claiming a victory and two second-placed finishes last weekend at Imola.
The Italian is the fifth Prema driver to claim the Drivers’ Championship since the series’ inception in 2014 – the maiden title went to current Racing Point F1 driver Lance Stroll.
He is also the first Italian driver to win the championship.
“It feels so good,” Mini said. “It has been a tough Championship since the beginning of the year.
“I tried to carry as many points as I could and I tried to learn from every mistake. It would have been perfect with a race win but I’m still really happy for this title.
“I can’t be enough thankful to my team, my management and everyone who supported me.
“Winning my first title in single-seaters is really something special, I really can’t explain my feelings right now, I’m so happy.”
Mini’s title-winning performance came on a weekend in which Ferrari-backed Prema team-mate Dino Beganovic, third in the standings, claimed his maiden single-seater race victory.
Mini is currently managed by Nicolas Todt, son of FIA president Jean Todt, who also works with F1’s Charles Leclerc and Daniil Kvyat.
The final round of the Italian F4 season will take place next month at Vallelunga.
