Kimi Antonelli Celebrates Historic Monza Win: “It’s a Dream Come True”

Kimi Antonelli turned a 19th-place starting position into a historic victory at Monza, sending Italian fans into celebration. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver claimed his seventh Formula One win of the season and became the first Italian to finish atop the podium at the circuit in 60 years.

“

Thank you for the support.

“Thank you for the support,” Antonelli told the enthusiastic crowd after stepping out of his car. He said he felt “extremely happy” and could never have imagined the result. The last Italian winner at Monza was Ludovico Scarfiotti, who won for Ferrari in 1966.

The victory also strengthened Antonelli’s position at the top of the championship. He will arrive at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid with 267 points, 66 more than George Russell and 76 more than seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who finished sixth at Monza.

“

I’m extremely happy, this is something I could never have imagined.

Antonelli said the team had done “a sensational job” and that he recognized an opportunity after the second start. “And I believed in it,” he said. The Bolognese driver could become Italy’s third world champion, 73 years after Alberto Ascari was the last Italian to win the title.

“

It’s a dream come true, it has been an incredible day.

Italian newspapers embraced the result. La Gazzetta dello Sport called Antonelli a national prodigy and described his comeback as legendary. Corriere dello Sport linked its coverage to the song “Sarà perché ti amo,” while Tuttosport used a line from Domenico Modugno’s “Nel blu, dipinto di blu.” General newspapers highlighted both the historic Italian victory and Ferrari’s disappointing home result.

“

The truth is, we did a sensational job. After the second start, I knew I had an opportunity. And I believed in it.