Kimi Antonelli delivered a masterclass at the Italian Grand Prix, becoming the first Italian driver to triumph at Monza since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966. Starting from 19th on the grid due to a penalty for exceeding his engine part allowance, the Mercedes driver produced a breathtaking performance to secure victory, extending his championship lead to 66 points.
This recovery drive stands as the second-furthest back a driver has ever started to win a grand prix, trailing only John Watson’s 1983 victory from 22nd on the grid at the United States Grand Prix West. Antonelli’s pace was evident early, as he climbed to 12th by the third lap, shortly before a red flag was deployed following Charles Leclerc’s heavy crash at the Parabolica.
The race restart triggered a frantic battle at the front. By lap 11, Max Verstappen had briefly snatched the lead from George Russell, though the Mercedes driver reclaimed the top spot three laps later. Antonelli, meanwhile, methodically picked his way through the field, eventually joining a three-car fight for the lead alongside his teammate and the Red Bull driver. Between laps 17 and 24, the two Mercedes cars engaged in a high-stakes duel, repeatedly swapping positions as they managed their hybrid engine modes.
The tactical turning point arrived when a virtual safety car was triggered by Lance Stroll’s mechanical failure. Mercedes opted to pit Antonelli for fresh tires, while Russell remained on track to preserve his own rubber. Rejoining in sixth place, roughly 15 seconds behind his teammate, Antonelli embarked on a relentless charge, overtaking Pierre Gasly, Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, and Oscar Piastri to close the gap.
By lap 48, the two Mercedes drivers were running nose-to-tail. Antonelli’s initial attempt to pass at the first chicane on lap 50 resulted in a brief excursion into the gravel after hitting track debris, but his superior pace allowed him to quickly recover. He soon closed the 1.7-second deficit and breezed past Russell on the stretch between the Lesmo corners and Ascari to take the lead.
Reflecting on the result, a stunned Antonelli remarked, “I did not expect. Unbelievable. I am so happy, I could never imagine being here today.” The local fans, typically loyal to Ferrari, erupted in celebration as their compatriot crossed the finish line.
George Russell, who finished second, admitted the difficulty of the afternoon. “When I looked at the leaderboard a few laps after the restart and saw he was already in P5/6, I knew he would be in the mix. I was just struggling with the tires at the end,” he said. “I will take it. It has been more positive than before the summer break, but of course, I would have loved to be P1 today.”
Max Verstappen rounded out the podium in third, finishing ahead of the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. It was a difficult day for Ferrari, as Lewis Hamilton finished sixth and Charles Leclerc was forced to retire early following his collision with the barriers. The report also notes that who remarkably was on Russell’s tail and challenging for victory within 16 laps of the start, it was a statement performance from Antonelli. The report also notes that but decided to stop for fresh tyres under a virtual safety car mid-race and narrowed a 15-second gap to nothing before carving past Russell, antonelli looked capable of winning any which way. The report also notes that the key stories of a gripping race at Monza were. The report also notes that the best of a stand-out season from the Italian, antonelli’s compelling and spectacular win. The report also notes that who knew he needed to try to use this day to make up points on his team-mate, a desperately disappointing day for Russell. The report also notes that leclerc was unhurt and the race was stopped while the marshals rebuilt the barriers at the famous final corner. The report also notes that by this time, Russell had taken the lead from shock pole winner Pierre Gasly’s Alpine and looked in control of the race. The report also notes that the Mercedes battled hard, the two passing and re-passing each other as they played with the boost and overtaking modes in the new hybrid engines as Verstappen sat right behind them with the best seat in the house, from laps 17 to 24.
