Kimi Antonelli claimed a remarkable victory at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, executing an astonishing comeback at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. The Mercedes driver started from 19th position on the grid due to an engine penalty. Antonelli’s triumph marks the first time an Italian driver has won their home Grand Prix since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966.
Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell finished in second place, 3.857 seconds behind. Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing completed the podium, securing third position. This result delivered a significant Mercedes one-two finish at the ‘Temple of Speed’.
The race saw early drama when Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc crashed heavily at the final corner on the second lap, prompting a red flag. At the time of the stoppage, Antonelli had already advanced from his 19th starting spot to 12th position, demonstrating early pace.
Following the standing restart, Antonelli continued his charge through the field. He rapidly climbed into contention, showcasing a blend of raw speed and strategic overtaking. His progress positioned him within the leading pack by the mid-point of the 53-lap event.
A Virtual Safety Car period later in the race proved pivotal. Antonelli opted to pit for a fresh set of medium tyres under the caution, while Russell remained on track with his used hard compound tyres. This strategic divergence set up a direct battle between the two Mercedes drivers.
Antonelli capitalised on his fresher rubber, closing the gap to Russell. He executed the decisive overtake on Lap 50 of 53, securing the lead of the Italian Grand Prix. He then managed to pull away in the final laps to seal his seventh victory of the current season.
The win further extended Antonelli’s lead in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship. He now holds a 66-point advantage over his teammate George Russell. Lewis Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, is currently 76 points adrift in third place.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri secured fourth and fifth positions for McLaren respectively. Lewis Hamilton finished sixth for Ferrari after a challenging race for the Scuderia. Pole-sitter Pierre Gasly of Alpine finished seventh.
Arvid Lindblad of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls finished eighth, with Franco Colapinto of Alpine in ninth. Yuki Tsunoda, also for Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, rounded out the top ten.
