MAY 14, 2002

Barrichello to be given Italian citizenship

THE Italian Embassy in Brazil is to grant Italian citizenship to Rubens Barrichello, as a way to compensate the humiliation suffered by Barrichello in Austria. The Italian ambassador Vincenzo Petrone said he was ashamed for the "historic humiliation" of Barrichello and wanted to make a gesture on behalf of Italy.

Barrichello, who comes from Italian roots actually requested Italian citizenship some months ago but the process will now be accelerated by the Italians embarrassed by what happened in Austria.

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