Antonelli's Miracle Monza Win: 'Just Unheard Of!'

On a Monza weekend already turned upside down by Pierre Gasly's shock pole, Kimi Antonelli produced an even more implausible result: winning the Italian Grand Prix from 19th on the grid. The Mercedes driver's seventh win of 2026 extended his championship lead over George Russell to a joint season-high 66 points, and ended a 60-year wait for an Italian home winner.

Why it matters:

Antonelli's comeback wasn't just another win. It came from the second-lowest grid position ever to produce an F1 victory, and he beat teammate and chief title rival Russell, who started from the front row. The result also delivered a psychological blow in the title fight, with Antonelli now holding a commanding advantage.

The details:

• Antonelli started 19th after penalties, but was up to 12th by the time Leclerc's crash brought out the red flag on lap two.
• He gained four more places on the restart, then chased down Russell, with the pair trading the lead from lap 16 onward.
• A well-timed Virtual Safety Car allowed Antonelli to pit for fresh mediums, while Russell stayed out on worn hards.
• Martin Brundle dubbed him 'King Kimi', while Nico Rosberg said: 'He's in his second season, just turned 20. Who does that like that? It's just unheard of!'
• Toto Wolff: 'I thought one of the two is going to win – either George or Kimi because he's going to walk over water here in Monza.'
• Antonelli himself admitted he woke up feeling 'very good mentally' and targeted a podium – but the red flag changed everything.

What's next:

F1 heads to Madrid's new Madring circuit for the Spanish Grand Prix, where Antonelli will look to extend his lead. With momentum and history on his side, the 'King Kimi' era may only be beginning.