Kimi Antonelli achieves in Monza what no Italian had done for 60 years

Kimi Antonelli gave Italy the home-race triumph it had been waiting for, winning the Italian Grand Prix at Monza after starting from the last row.

The 20-year-old Mercedes driver had to begin from 19th because of a penalty for an engine change. He nevertheless fought through the field to claim a victory that had eluded every Italian driver for six decades. Only once before in Formula One history had a driver won at Monza after starting from the last row.

More than 400,000 spectators packed the Royal Park outside Milan for the season's 13th race weekend, a record attendance. Most had come to support Ferrari, whose red colors dominated the circuit. The Italian team had entered its home race with renewed hopes of becoming a serious championship contender, leaving fans to choose between their traditional loyalty to Ferrari and support for Antonelli, the rising Italian star driving for Mercedes.

By the finish, Antonelli's victory had eclipsed Ferrari's sporting tragedy. The result allowed the crowd to celebrate with flares in the colors of the Italian tricolor, even though few spectators had been carrying Mercedes flags or wearing Antonelli caps.

Antonelli said the crowd gave him extra strength each time he entered the final corner. Speaking over his helmet radio after the race, he stammered, “Oh my God, this is like a dream.” His victory reunited a divided racing nation and made him the first Italian to win his home Grand Prix in 60 years.

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Oh my God, this is like a dream.