Kimi Antonelli makes Monza history with comeback win

Kimi Antonelli turned a penalty-forced 19th-place start into a historic victory at Monza, becoming the first Italian in six decades to win his home Italian Grand Prix. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver overtook teammate George Russell with three laps remaining and finished 3.8 seconds ahead.

Antonelli used a favorable strategy, a powerful new engine and a series of decisive overtaking moves to fight through the field. His recovery was briefly threatened on Lap 49 of the 53-lap race, when he ran through the gravel at the Variante del Rettifilo while trying to take the lead from Russell.

The Italian recovered quickly and completed the decisive pass three laps before the chequered flag. His victory ended a wait that stretched back to 1966, when Ludovico Scarfiotti became the last home driver to win the Italian Grand Prix at Monza for Ferrari.

The result strengthened Antonelli’s position at the top of the championship. He increased his lead over Russell from 59 points to 66, taking his season total to 267 points. Russell remained second with 201.

Max Verstappen finished third and Lando Norris fourth. Oscar Piastri took fifth, followed by Lewis Hamilton, Pierre Gasly, Arvid Lindblad, Franco Colapinto and Yuki Tsunoda in the top 10.

Ferrari had a difficult afternoon at its home race. Charles Leclerc crashed out on the second lap after losing control at high speed, while Hamilton finished sixth. Prime Minister Georgia Meloni congratulated Antonelli on X, calling him an “extraordinary young talent” after his historic result.

“

Sixty years later, an Italian returns to winning the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Congratulations to Kimi Antonelli, extraordinary young talent who signs a historic result.