Mercedes demonstrated a significant performance advantage at the Italian Grand Prix, with Kimi Antonelli securing a dominant victory at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. Antonelli started from 19th position on the grid, marking his second win of the current 2026 Formula 1 season.
This result followed two consecutive victories for McLaren, achieved by Lando Norris at the Hungarian Grand Prix and the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Those wins highlighted the McLaren MCL38’s capabilities on high-downforce, technical circuits.
At Monza, however, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished fourth and fifth respectively. They crossed the finish line approximately 19 seconds behind race winner Antonelli.
Norris acknowledged the performance gap, stating, ‘Mercedes still plays in its own class compared to us.’ He also noted Red Bull’s competitive pace at Monza, with Max Verstappen securing third place on the podium.
Verstappen’s third-place finish underscored Red Bull’s strong straight-line speed, allowing them to challenge for podium positions on high-speed tracks. Sergio Pérez finished sixth for Red Bull.
The Italian Grand Prix circuit, known for its long straights and chicanes, demands high top speeds and efficient low-drag aerodynamic configurations. This contrasts sharply with the high-downforce requirements of circuits like the Hungaroring and Zandvoort.
Norris had anticipated a challenging weekend for McLaren at Monza. He stated, ‘We had said it before the weekend. We knew our expectations and we still have work to do, we already knew that.’
The McLaren driver identified specific areas for improvement. He highlighted the need to enhance performance in low and medium-speed corners, improve car stability, and increase straight-line speed.
Mercedes currently leads the Constructors’ Championship standings. Red Bull holds second position, with McLaren in third. The gap between Mercedes and McLaren widened following the Monza event.
Antonelli’s victory at Monza, coupled with his earlier win at the Spanish Grand Prix, places him third in the Drivers’ Championship. His performance from a P19 start demonstrated the Mercedes W17’s superior pace.
‘We won the last races with bigger differences, while they were still fighting for good points at that time. We didn’t even come close to fighting for the top two now,’ Norris commented.
McLaren’s focus now shifts to addressing the car’s weaknesses on circuits that do not suit its current aerodynamic package. Improving these areas is crucial for consistent front-running performance across the diverse F1 calendar.
