Sebastian Vettel has been told to apologies to the "all Italians" and the country's president after his "offensive" comments about the fly-by which took place ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.
Air displays are largely banned by Formula 1 as of this year, as the sport commits to become more environmentally friendly. But Italy's Frecce Tricolori display team, along with Britain's Red Arrows, were given special permission to continue to take to the skies.
On their second pass above the grid at Monza on Sunday, they were joined by a huge jumbo jet as part of the display. Vettel, who is very passionate about protecting the environment, was less than impressed.
Speaking after the race, he said: "I heard the president of Italy was insisting to have the fly-by – I mean, he's about 100 years old, so maybe it's difficult for him to let go of these kinds of ego things. I think [the Italian GP] has to stay on the calendar. It is a great circuit, a great atmosphere.
"But the fly-bys... we were promised that they are gone. And it seems that the president just has to change his mind and F1 gives in despite the boards around the track about certain goals when it comes to making the world a better place."
Vettel's comments about the president Sergio Mattarella, who is actually 81 years old, did not go down well with the head of the Italian Automobile Club. Geronimo La Russa was stunned that a "guest" in the country would speak so critically of its leader, and said the German should issue an apology.
"It is a controversy that offends the president of the republic and all of us," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "We thank Mattarella for coming here to celebrate the centenary of the racetrack – the aircraft flew, for the first time, with a 25% dose of biofuel, an important experiment also for civil aviation.
"I have always been taught the president of the republic should be listened to and not commented on – especially if you are a guest of a foreign country. The fly-by of the Frecce Tricolori is a source of Italian pride.
"It is a pity a world champion, who also won his first grand prix at Monza, has slipped over a controversy that is as useless as it is specious. It only remains for him to apologise to President Mattarella and to all Italians."
