Antonelli storms from P19 to win Italian GP, extends championship lead

Kimi Antonelli produced a remarkable comeback to win the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, charging from 19th on the grid to victory at his home race and becoming the first Italian driver to triumph at Monza since 1966.

The 20-year-old Mercedes driver passed teammate George Russell on Lap 50, with three laps remaining, and held on to secure a memorable victory.

Russell finished second to complete a Mercedes one-two, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took third.

McLaren’s Lando Norris was fourth ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton finishing sixth.

The race was interrupted on Lap 2 after Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc crashed heavily at the Parabolica, prompting a red flag. Leclerc walked away from the accident and was cleared following medical checks.

Antonelli, who had qualified seventh, started from 19th after receiving a grid penalty for exceeding his permitted allocation of power-unit components.

His victory equaled the second-furthest-back starting position from which a Formula 1 World Championship race has been won, behind John Watson’s victory from 22nd in 1983.

The Italian quickly made his way through the field following the restart and took the lead from Russell at the beginning of Lap 18.

Antonelli and Verstappen later pitted for fresh tires during a virtual safety-car period, while Russell remained on track and attempted to preserve his hard tires.

Antonelli returned to second place by Lap 38 and gradually reduced the gap to his teammate as Russell struggled with tire wear.

The Italian briefly ran through the gravel while battling Russell on Lap 49 but recovered and completed the decisive pass one lap later.

Russell tried to respond over the closing laps but could not regain the lead, allowing Antonelli to cross the finish line to a huge reception from the home crowd.

The victory strengthened Antonelli’s position at the top of the drivers’ standings.

He arrived at Monza leading Russell by 59 points and increased his advantage to 66, moving to 267 points.

Russell’s second-place finish lifted him to 201 points, while Hamilton dropped to third with 191 after collecting eight points for sixth place.

Mercedes’ one-two contrasted sharply with Ferrari’s fortunes at its home race. Hamilton could manage only sixth, while Leclerc’s early retirement left the Italian team without a podium.

Antonelli became the first Italian driver to win the Italian Grand Prix at Monza since Ludovico Scarfiotti triumphed at the circuit in 1966.

Pole-sitter Pierre Gasly was unable to maintain his qualifying advantage and finished seventh for Alpine.

Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad took eighth, ahead of Alpine’s Franco Colapinto and Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda.

Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto finished 11th, followed by teammate Nico Hulkenberg, Williams’ Carlos Sainz, Red Bull’s Liam Lawson, Haas pair Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon, Williams’ Alex Albon and Cadillac’s Sergio Perez.

Valtteri Bottas, Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso and Leclerc failed to finish.