Formula 1 2026: Kimi Antonelli wins Monza GP

The 2026 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 6 witnessed a historic masterclass as 20-year-old Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli triumphed from 19th position on the starting grid, having received a penalty for using excess engine components.

This stunning performance marks the second-furthest back a driver has ever started a race and gone on to win, trailing only John Watson's victory from 22nd on the grid at the 1983 United States Grand Prix West. Furthermore, Antonelli became the first Italian driver to win a home grand prix at Monza since Ludovico Scarfiotti achieved the feat in 1966.

The race was filled with high drama from the very beginning. On lap three, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc lost control at the Parabolica corner and crashed heavily into the barriers, prompting a red flag stoppage. Although Leclerc escaped unhurt, the incident allowed pole-sitter Pierre Gasly's Alpine to lose control of the lead temporarily to Mercedes' George Russell while Antonelli carefully navigated his way through the chaos from the back.

A pivotal moment arrived mid-race during a virtual safety car period called after Lance Stroll's Aston Martin broke down at the first chicane. Antonelli's garage gambled on pitting for fresh tyres, whereas Russell chose to stay out and nurse his worn rubber to the finish line. Rejoining the track in sixth place and 15 seconds adrift, the young Italian unleashed blistering pace to carve through the field.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

With five laps remaining, Antonelli caught right up to his teammate. Despite a brief excursion into the gravel at the first chicane on lap 50, his overwhelming pace advantage allowed him to easily breeze past Russell on the straight between the Lesmo corners and Ascari, claiming a remarkable victory with Red Bull's Max Verstappen rounding out the podium in third.

"When I looked at the leaderboard a few laps after the restart and saw he was already in P5/6 I knew he would be in the mix. I was just struggling with the tyres at the end."

George Russell

Russell gracefully accepted the result post-race, noting his struggles with tyre degradation in the closing laps while celebrating a generally positive run of form for the team following the summer break, as Antonelli cemented his championship dominance.

Source: BBC Sport