Kimi Antonelli wins Italian Grand Prix after historic F1 comeback

Kimi Antonelli turned a 19th-place start into a historic victory at Monza on Sunday, winning the Italian Grand Prix for Mercedes and giving Italian fans a home winner for the first time in 60 years.

The 20-year-old finished ahead of teammate George Russell, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen completed the podium. According to Mister Chip, Antonelli’s charge was the second-biggest comeback to a Formula One victory. Only John Watson’s win at Long Beach in 1983, after starting 22nd, ranks higher.

Antonelli also became the youngest winner in the history of the Italian Grand Prix. At 20 years and 12 days, he surpassed the previous marks set by Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc. His victory was the first by an Italian driver at the country’s home race since Ludovico Scarfiotti won at Monza on Sept. 4, 1966.

The result strengthened Antonelli’s grip on the Formula One championship. He now has 267 points, 66 more than Russell and 76 more than Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who finished sixth. Lando Norris took fourth, ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri, while Pierre Gasly finished seventh and Arvid Lindblad eighth. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto was ninth, and Yuki Tsunoda completed the points-paying positions.

Carlos Sainz finished 13th, Fernando Alonso retired and Sergio Perez was 18th. Antonelli will arrive as the clear championship leader for next weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix at Madring, the semi-urban circuit in Madrid.