Kimi Antonelli staged a remarkable comeback at the Italian Grand Prix on September 6, charging from 19th on the grid to win his home race at Monza and becoming the first Italian to triumph at the circuit in six decades.
The Mercedes driver overtook teammate George Russell with three laps remaining and finished 3.8 seconds ahead, ending a 60-year wait for an Italian winner at Monza. Antonelli is the first home driver to win the Italian Grand Prix since Ludovico Scarfiotti’s 1966 victory for Ferrari.
Starting 19th due to a penalty, Antonelli capitalized on a strong strategy, a powerful new engine, and impressive overtaking moves to advance through the field. His win also extended his championship lead over Russell from 59 to 66 points, with Antonelli now on 267 points and Russell second on 201.
Antonelli’s charge was briefly jeopardized on lap 49 of the 53-lap race when he ran through the gravel at the Variante del Rettifilo while attempting to overtake Russell. He recovered swiftly and completed the pass decisively three laps before the finish.
Max Verstappen finished third, followed by Lando Norris in fourth and Oscar Piastri in fifth. Lewis Hamilton secured sixth place, with Pierre Gasly seventh, Arvid Lindblad eighth, Franco Colapinto ninth, and Yuki Tsunoda tenth.
Ferrari faced a disappointing home race, with Charles Leclerc crashing out on the second lap after losing control at high speed.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated Antonelli on the historic achievement in a post on
Antonelli’s victory not only increased his championship advantage but also marked a significant moment in Italian motorsport history, concluding one of its longest waits for a home winner at Monza.