CEBUANO actor Matteo Guidicelli is proud of his close friend racecar driver Marlon Stockinger.
In a recent interview with the actor, Matteo shared that he went to the Manila Speed Show event at the Mall of Asia earlier this month where Marlon and the Lotus F1 Team showed off their famous Formula One car.
He became a bit emotional upon seeing his close friend with the Lotus F1 team and pursuing their childhood dream, to be the first Filipino F1 driver.
"When I saw Marlon, I hugged him and tumulo nga yung luha ko kasi yun ang pangarap namin. Para akong bata na sobrang excited. Kasi pangarap ko talaga na maging unang Pinoy sa F1," Matteo said.
Stokinger is the first Filipino to get into F1. The Filipino-Swiss racer is currently one of the seven junior drivers under the Lotus F1 Junior Team.
"It's on the range of we have someone in the NBA (basketball). No Filipino has done it before. Nung bata kami, this was our dream. I changed course and I went to show biz but Marlon has worked hard and he's in F1 now," the actor added.
Matteo shared that he left the sports of kart racing after he met an accident during his last race.
"My last race, I got in a big accident. My mom got very scared and I decided to stop everything," he said.
Matteo started his racing career at the age of 11. He participated in local and international races and was a three-time Karter of the Year awardee.
The actor went to the States and took acting workshops at the New York Academy. He also attended Columbia College in Chicago and pursued a two-year degree in performing arts.
Once back in Manila, he enrolled in theatre courses at Brent International School in Laguna.
"I guess God has his own plans for me and this is where I'm supposed to be," he said.
According to Matteo, he's looking forward to drive again as a hobby.
"If there's a chance, if I get a big sponsor, baka. But as a hobby but not as serious sa race. I think it's for Marlon. He's worked so hard for this and sana by two years pumasok talaga siya sa F1 talaga," he said.
Right now, the Cebuano actor is busy with his show biz commitments.
He will host the upcoming reality competition "The Biggest Loser" with Iza Calzado and Robi Domingo.
Matteo is also into triathlon. (Sunnex)