Couple celebrate engagement after unique F1-themed proposal with personalised chequered flag gift

A motorsport-loving couple are celebrating their engagement this Valentine’s Day after the groom staged a unique F1-themed proposal featuring a very special gift.

Jake Di Meglio met Jennamarie Moody in college and they have been together since Valentine’s Day 2015. The couple from Westchester County, New York, have a shared love of Formula 1 and are both massive Ferrari fans, trying their best to attend Grands Prix in Austin, Montreal and Miami each year.

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Last year, Jennamarie surprised Jake on his birthday by gifting him a square of the Monaco race flag, won by Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. She had wanted a piece of the flag herself ever since, so Jake decided to make her dream come true in an unforgettable way.

Jake contacted F1 Authentics, run by Memento Exclusives – the memorabilia specialist and officially licensed partner to the likes of Formula 1 and MotoGP – who produce chequered flags waved at different races across the motorsport calendar.

The company make squares of these flags available for public purchase before each race through its ‘Own The Chequered Flag’ initiative, and Jake saw an opportunity to include a very special message.

USA AUSTIN GP FLAG.jpeg — The chequered flag that was waved when Charles Leclerc won the United States Grand Prix featured a very special message from Jake to Jennamarie

“This year unfortunately we were not able to go to Austin for the first time in years – which is our favourite race,” said Jake. “I knew, once we were not able to go, it was the perfect opportunity to buy Jennamarie a spot on the flag and be there in spirit. I then thought about my plans to propose and realised this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for something special.”

As fate would have it, Ferrari driver Leclerc would go on to win the United States Grand Prix, ensuring Jake’s question of ‘Will You Marry Me’ to Jennamarie was waved at the finish line as her favourite team and driver raced home victoriously. “Charles winning the race was the icing on the cake to make things even more special,” added Jake.

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After each race, the chequered flags adorned with fans’ names and messages are returned to Memento Exclusives, who carefully hand-cut each square and place them in a presentation frame, before sending them on to customers to forever cherish the moment they were part of Grand Prix history.

Once the frame containing his all-important question arrived, Jake secretly stored it away safely until getting down on one knee and surprising Jennamarie with her gift. Jake’s efforts paid off with the best news of all – she said yes!

“We have set the date and are going to get married in August 2026, plus we’ve just booked our latest F1 trip, to the Miami GP! Thank you to Memento Exclusives for making our proposal and anniversary so special,” said Jake.

Jake and Jennamarie have set a date for their wedding after Jake's F1-themed proposal

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Jake and Jennamarie have set a date for their wedding after Jake's F1-themed proposal

Memento Exclusives is known for bringing fans hard-to-find memorabilia from the most thrilling sports on the planet. Through its unique position and innovative partnerships, the company allows sports fans to ‘Own the Moment’.

Barry Gough, CEO and Founder of Memento Exclusives (F1 Authentics) commented: “A huge congratulations from all of us to Jake and Jennamarie on their engagement. The unique ways fans engage with our products is something we love to see, and we have seen a big increase in gifting messages on race flags for 2025.

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“Having your own name become part of a moment in sporting history is a special feeling, but it’s also a great way of giving that feeling to others, marking celebrations, anniversaries and so much more.”

Squares from the flags that will be waved during the landmark 75th F1 season are currently available to personalise and purchase on F1authentics.com.