la splendida capri

BASICS STATS.

Full Name: Alessandro "Alex" Vitale

Birthday: March 12 (29 years old)

Birthplace & Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Orientation & Status: Heterosexual, Single

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Current Residence: Capri, Italy

Occupation: Co-Owner of Club Rosanova ; Catcher for the Chicago Cubs

Family: Vitale (Paternal Side) from Naples & Marinis (Maternal Side) from Capri. 3 siblings, 19 cousins, and a surplus of aunts and uncles.

BIOGRAPHY.

Born in Chicago to an expansive Italian-American family with roots back to Southern Italy. His father, Matteo, built a luxury automotive logistics company from the ground up in the United States. His mother was from old Capri hospitality money. From September to May, he was in the states with Chicago winters, private schools, hockey games, and Italian Sunday dinners that overflowed into three rooms. Summers were in Capri.

His grandparents' villa is on the water with sprawling lemon and olive trees over the property. Summers consisted of barefoot running through the streets with her cousins, learning card games and hidden secrets from uncles, and how to make the best pasta from nonna. Here he was known as Ale, and here he was fearless.

At six, he snuck off with the family's gold cart and raced down the windy roads of Capri. At ten, he began racing, and by thirteen, he was being scouted and discussed as a potential prodigy. By fourteen, his life became a rhythm of airports, racetracks, simulators, tutors, and enough pressure to start crushing his dreams. Yet, he endured and grew better and better. At sixteen, he met F3, seventeen F2, and by eighteen, he was the youngest driver to secure an F1 seat.

He was the Italian-American who drove instinctively, calm under pressure, and was able to withstand the task of being one of twenty drivers in the paddock. He was known for being precise and controlled, becoming an international favorite by his third season. Chasing podium wins and fighting for a championship became the norm, but Capri was always his place of respite.

At twenty-seven, he became a co-owner of a rooftop lounge with his cousin. He wanted something established and grounded that represented permanence to him, and something outside the world of F1. Between scheduled races and practices, Alex spends as much time in Capri as he can. He loves walking through the space, greeting guests, learning the newest with staff, and drinking espresso with his cousin as the island goes to sleep. He loved it, and he was truly happy with both worlds. Then came the crash.

It shocked the F1 world and fans to the core. In the first race of the 2026 season in Australia, a high-speed collision ended his season as quickly as it started. He sustained damage to his shoulder and ribs with no complications to his left hand. This season is in the drain, and he is now in the midst of rehabilitation. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. His grandmother told him to come to Capri to recuperate. What better place to be than with family and the sea?

He doesn't know what's next for his career, wise. A part of him wants to get back into the car as soon as he can; the other part is terrified of not wanting his life to flash before his eyes again. Alex can't help but wonder who he may be when the world of Formula One comes to an end. Yet for now, he's going to enjoy the hums of his nonna and the clinking of glass and smiles donned on the faces of those looking for reprieve in Capri.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Likes: family dinners that last hours, vintage watches, vinyl records, cooking with hi nona, smell of ocean salt, dogs, and a consistent routine

Dislikes: paps and social media over exposure, dishonesty, being asked 'what's next' while recovering from his injury, itchy fabrics, and wasted drinks

Speaks fluent Italian, French, and English but only slips into Italian when he's very emotional.

Talks with his mother every Sunday at 7:30 AM while she has her breakfast and he starts his first energy drink of the day.

Smells like bergamot, cedar, and sunscreen most days of the week.