Ferrari's Brazilian driver Felipe Massa became a little more Italian on Wednesday after he was made an honorary citizen of the town his ancestors emigrated from in the southeast region of Puglia.
Massa, who was preparing at Ferrari's home track here ahead of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix in Monza, received the recognition and the key to Cerignola from the town's mayor, Matteo Valentino.
"This is a great honor for me. It's important because my family came from Cerignola and I like the idea of being linked to the town. Let's hope I can pay this back with the big prize, although this season is really tough," Massa said.
"We had no doubts about giving him this recognition because it was not us who sought him out but Felipe Massa who never fails to recall his origins," Valentino said.
"It's important for emigrants who become famous not to forget where they came from. For Cerignola it was right to give Massa this recognition," he added.
The Formula 1 driver also received the number one membership card to the town's Ferrari club, eight honorary fan club membership cards for his family and colleagues, a lithograph by a local artist of the town's symbol - a swan killing a a serpent, and a big jar of one of Puglia's most famous farm products: giant olives.
"Unfortunately, I can't eat too many of these now, otherwise I won't be able to fit in my car," Massa said on receiving the gift.
Massa has visited Cerignola twice and has been in contact by phone with his relatives who are still there.
