Domenicali honoured at esteemed Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, has been honoured at the Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards, with the body recognising the impact of his leadership beyond the race track.

Established in 2010, the awards identify individuals whose governance and contributions embody global citizenship and help inspire others to contribute to a better world, working across a wide variety of industries and professions.

The acknowledgement of his achievements not only includes the expansion of F1 into a global cultural force, but also his continued efforts to connect fans across borders and uplift new generations.

Domenicali joined President of Finland Alexander Stubb, Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, and award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo in receiving the honour in a ceremony held during UN Assembly Week in New York.

He was welcomed with a montage of messages of congratulations from those close to him, including F1 actor Brad Pitt, tennis player Jannik Sinner and His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II of Monaco.

“To begin the evening with messages from friends I hold so dear was a truly wonderful surprise,” Domenicali said when he took to the stage, having been handed the award by actor and motorsport fan Keanu Reeves.

“I thank them for their words, their affection and above all, for choosing to share this moment even from afar. As you can imagine, receiving the Global Citizen Award is a great honour for me, and I accept it with gratitude and a strong sense of responsibility.

“Being here alongside individuals who, through different journeys and experiences, have each contributed to society carries special meaning for me. I spent my entire professional life in sport and it has taught me one very simple lesson – it is possible to compete at the highest level without ever losing respect for others.

“We live in a complex time – a time in which differences too often become distances, and distances become divisions. I believe that sport can remind us of something very simple. We can be different. We can compete. We can even be rivals and choose to recognise and respect one another. I have the privilege of witnessing this almost every weekend in Formula 1.

“When I step in our paddock, I see a small world – thousands of people arriving from every corner of the planet. They speak different languages and come from different cultures, histories and perspectives. Each brings their own colours, their own enthusiasm and naturally, their desire to win.

“Then the engines start. On the track, competition becomes intense. Drivers push themselves and their cars to the limit while teams work for months, sometimes years, to find a few hundredths of a second. There are victories and defeats, rivalries and challenges.

“In the grandstands, fans come from all over the world. They support different drivers and teams, and experience the race in their own way. Yet, when the lights go out, millions of people share the same emotion at the very same moment.

“To me, this is one of the most beautiful aspects of sport. Competition does not have to drive people apart. At its best, it can do exactly the opposite – it can bring people together.”