Kimi Antonelli produced one of the most remarkable drives of the 2026 Formula 1 season by winning the Italian Grand Prix at Monza after starting an astonishing 19th on the grid.
The Mercedes driver fought his way through the field in fewer than 17 laps before battling teammate George Russell for the lead. Antonelli eventually made the decisive move with just three laps remaining, securing a famous home victory in front of a passionate Italian crowd.
Kimi Antonelli Makes F1 History at Monza
The F1 race at Monza delivered a stunning result as Andrea Kimi Antonelli became the first Italian driver in 60 years to win his home Italian Grand Prix.
Starting from 19th, Antonelli immediately showed impressive pace and aggression. After the race’s restarts, the Mercedes driver found himself at the front and continued to pressure Russell throughout the closing stages.
With fresher tyres giving Antonelli an advantage, he closed rapidly on Russell and finally passed his teammate with three laps to go.
Antonelli crossed the finish line to claim his seventh victory of the season and the seventh win of his young F1 career.
F1 Results Today: Italian Grand Prix Top 10
The F1 results today from the Monza GP were:
- Kimi Antonelli — Mercedes
- George Russell — Mercedes
- Max Verstappen — Red Bull
- Lando Norris — McLaren
- Oscar Piastri — McLaren
- Lewis Hamilton — Ferrari
- Pierre Gasly — Alpine
- Arvid Lindblad — Racing Bulls
- Franco Colapinto — Alpine
- Yuki Tsunoda — Racing Bulls
The result gave Mercedes a dominant one-two finish at its most important home race for Antonelli.
George Russell Misses Out on Victory
George Russell had to settle for second place after leading much of the latter part of the race.
Russell admitted after the race that tyre management became a major issue. He completed the entire race on the same tyre strategy, while Antonelli benefited from fresher rubber after making his stop.
Russell still described the recent period as more positive for his season, but admitted he would have preferred to finish P1.
The result is particularly significant because Russell is also fighting Antonelli for the championship.
Antonelli Extends His F1 Standings Lead
The victory strengthened Antonelli’s position at the top of the F1 standings.
After his incredible Monza victory, Antonelli’s championship advantage over Russell increased to 66 points. With several races still remaining, the Italian has put himself in an increasingly strong position in the 2026 title battle.
A win from 19th on the grid could prove to be one of the defining performances of the entire season.
Ferrari Disappointment at F1 Monza
While Antonelli gave Italian fans something to celebrate, Ferrari’s home race ended in disappointment.
Charles Leclerc crashed out early, leaving Lewis Hamilton as Ferrari’s leading finisher. Hamilton eventually finished sixth after a difficult start to the race.
The result means Ferrari missed the opportunity to celebrate a victory at its famous home circuit, while Antonelli became the star of the day instead.
Max Verstappen Takes Third
Max Verstappen completed the podium in third for Red Bull.
Verstappen battled hard throughout the race but acknowledged that top speed was not ideal for his car at Monza. Despite that disadvantage, he managed to stay in contention and secure another podium finish.
Behind him, the McLaren pairing of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished fourth and fifth respectively.
What the Monza GP Means for F1
The Italian GP has dramatically changed the momentum of the championship.
Antonelli’s combination of speed, tyre management and overtaking ability transformed a 19th-place starting position into a victory. His performance was especially impressive because he had to fight through the field before taking on his own Mercedes teammate for the win.
For Mercedes, the F1 Monza result could hardly have been better: first and second place, with Antonelli extending his championship advantage.
For Russell, second place keeps him in the title fight but represents a missed opportunity to reduce the gap.
F1 Today: A Race to Remember
The F1 race today at Monza will be remembered for one name: Kimi Antonelli.
Starting 19th and winning his home F1 race is an extraordinary achievement, particularly against a teammate who was also competing for victory.
As the championship enters its final phase, Antonelli now has momentum, confidence and a significant points advantage. The Monza F1 weekend could ultimately prove to be a major turning point in the 2026 Formula 1 title race.
Final result: Kimi Antonelli won the Italian Grand Prix ahead of George Russell and Max Verstappen, completing an extraordinary comeback from 19th on the grid.
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