Kimi Antonelli makes history at Monza, going from 19th to victory

Kimi Antonelli started 19th at Monza and finished as the winner of his home Italian Grand Prix. At just 19, the Mercedes driver produced the second-biggest comeback in Formula 1 history, recovering 19 positions and passing teammate George Russell in the decisive battle.

Only John Watson’s victory from 22nd at the 1983 United States West Grand Prix ranks higher. Antonelli began so far back because of a penalty for changing Mercedes engine components, but quickly moved into contention for the podium.

Pierre Gasly started from pole for the first time in his career, with Russell alongside him and Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc behind. Russell passed Gasly on the straight, while Leclerc became involved in an early clash with Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton ran wide at the chicane and dropped five places to 10th.

Leclerc then lost traction after running over the green kerb while trying to regain positions. His Ferrari crashed into the barriers at the Parabolica at more than 240 kilometers per hour. The heavy side impact left him dazed and brought out the red flag, forcing the race to restart after repairs that took more than 30 minutes.

Gasly held second after the opening phase, while his teammate Franco Colapinto climbed from seventh to fourth. Max Verstappen moved from fifth to third, and Piastri advanced from sixth to fifth. Carlos Sainz was 16th after briefly reaching 11th, while Fernando Alonso, who started from the pit lane, ran last in 21st.

At the restart, Russell defended first place from Gasly. Verstappen attacked for second, and Antonelli continued his charge, reaching fifth. Most cars used hard tires for the second start, while Verstappen and Hamilton chose mediums, setting up a race shaped by contrasting strategies.