Antonelli surges from 19th to seal Italian GP win as first home winner in 60 years

Andrea Kimi Antonelli delivered one of Formula 1’s most remarkable comeback drives at Monza, charging from 19th on the grid to win the Italian Grand Prix and become the first Italian to claim victory at his home race in 60 years.

The 19-year-old Mercedes driver started last after a planned power unit change exceeded his seasonal allowance, triggering a back-of-the-grid penalty. Mercedes had targeted a solid points finish, but Antonelli quickly made those expectations look conservative, climbing as high as sixth within a handful of laps.

A red flag for Charles Leclerc’s accident triggered a standing restart, which Antonelli used to gain further ground. As team-mate George Russell and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen traded the lead at the front, Antonelli inserted himself into the fight around the halfway point of the 53-lap race.

Running on medium tyres after the restart, Mercedes seized on a virtual safety car period to bring Antonelli in for a fresh set. That call proved decisive. On new rubber, he hunted down Russell — who was struggling on worn hard tyres — and took the lead definitively with four laps remaining.

The win was not without its anxious moments. Chasing Russell in the closing stages, Antonelli ran wide at the first chicane when Russell braked deep, and both drivers skated into the gravel. Antonelli feared the mistake had cost him the race.

“It was quite scary during the moment because the tarmac was breaking up, but I still thought I could make the corner,” he said. “But once I went over a bit of gravel as well, I went straight, and I was like: ‘Maybe I lost my chance’. But luckily we still had the pace and managed to bring it home.”

As Russell’s tyres faded on the following lap, Antonelli moved through to seal the result — his seventh win of the season.

“I did not expect it, unbelievable,” Antonelli said after the race. “I’m so happy, and I could have never imagined to be here today, but we managed to pull it off, and I’m really, really happy. It’s a dream coming true.”

Antonelli had begun to believe a win was possible once the restart reshuffled the order. “I was up there and I knew I could have had a shot for the win, so I definitely believed in it — especially when I was behind George,” he added.