Kimi Antonelli claimed victory at the Italian Grand Prix with a remarkable performance for Mercedes at Monza, recovering from 19th on the grid to secure his first win at his home race. The historic achievement saw him finish ahead of his Mercedes teammate George Russell, who started second and dropped to that position, with Max Verstappen finishing third for Red Bull.
Lewis Hamilton placed sixth, while his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc escaped unhurt from a major accident early in the race after going off at Parabolica.
Mercedes had anticipated Antonelli, carrying a grid penalty for using a new set of engine components, might recover to as high as fifth at best. Antonelli again exceeded their expectations, as he has done repeatedly this season. At 20 years old, the Italian has established himself with emphatic effect, and even Ferrari supporters acknowledged his performance with loud approval, despite his Mercedes attire.
Italy had not seen a home winner at Monza since Ludovico Scarfiotti 60 years ago, and only one driver had previously won from further back, John Watson from 22nd at the 1983 Long Beach GP.
The result narrowed the gap in the championship standings. Russell had entered the weekend hoping to reduce his 59-point deficit but now trails by 66 points.
Antonelli's drive showcased impressive racecraft as he navigated through the field with control and decisiveness. Facing the task of recovering in a competitive car for the first time, the Italian executed it with composure, demonstrating his capabilities as a well-rounded driver.
While Antonelli has shown aggression at the front this season, this recovery demanded a different approach, threading through backmarkers with precision. Russell, by contrast, was left stunned by the outcome.
Russell made a strong start, passing Pierre Gasly early on lap 2. Antonelli also made rapid progress, climbing from 19th to 12th when the race was halted a lap later due to Leclerc's crash. Leclerc lost control while competing with Oscar Piastri at Parabolica, went wide onto a drainage grate, lost grip, and hit the barriers side-on. He climbed out of the car uninjured.
The red flag prompted most leading drivers to switch to hard tyres to attempt a one-stop strategy, though Hamilton, Antonelli, and Verstappen, who had moved up to third, chose mediums. Antonelli could not take hards as he had started on them.
After the restart, Antonelli advanced from 12th to sixth within a lap, placing him within five seconds of the lead. By lap 12, he had passed Hamilton for fourth at Curva Grande, and a lap later took third from Piastri at the chicane. By lap 14, he had caught Russell and Verstappen.
Antonelli passed Verstappen for second and closed on Russell by lap 17. On the softer compound, he secured the lead at the chicane on lap 18.
Russell and Verstappen remained close, with the three cars running in formation until Mercedes instructed their drivers to manage the gap to Verstappen. During a virtual safety car period on lap 28, Antonelli and Verstappen pitted, rejoining sixth and seventh, while Russell stayed out in the lead. Antonelli took mediums again, with 14 seconds to recover.
On fresh tyres, Antonelli moved up to fourth within a lap and began pursuing Hamilton. Hamilton ran wide at the first chicane, allowing Antonelli into third on lap 35. Russell led by 10 seconds with 17 laps remaining. Piastri dropped back a lap later.
Antonelli closed to within six seconds with 12 laps left and five seconds two laps later. With seven laps remaining, he caught Russell, whose worn tyres offered little defence. Antonelli reached Russell's gearbox on lap 49 and attempted a pass at the first chicane, but Russell went in deep, forcing Antonelli wide across the gravel, costing him positions.
The Italian recovered and tried again a lap later, executing a decisive pass for the lead on the run to Variante Ascari with three laps remaining, and held on to win.
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