Antonelli storms from 19th to historic Monza victory in Mercedes thriller

Kimi Antonelli delivered one of the most astonishing drives in modern Formula 1 history to win the Italian Grand Prix from 19th on the grid.

The 20-year-old Mercedes driver thrilled the passionate home crowd by hunting down teammate George Russell in the closing stages to become the first Italian to triumph at the Temple of Speed since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966.

The race began with immense drama. Shock pole-sitter Pierre Gasly led away cleanly while Russell battled a fast-starting Ferrari duo. Lewis Hamilton was forced into the gravel at the first chicane following contact with teammate Charles Leclerc.

Rewind to the race start 🎥

Gasly got a great getaway on his maiden pole 💪#F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/hasvaKnTLC

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 6, 2026

The situation rapidly deteriorated for the Scuderia when Leclerc crashed heavily out of Parabolica on the second lap. The high-speed shunt brought out the red flags and immediately extinguished hopes of a home victory for the tifosi.

Huge impact for Charles 🎥

A reminder that he's out of the car and okay#F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/AYTRyQn0gI

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 6, 2026

Read more: Sebastian Vettel drives Schumacher’s Ferrari in Monza tribute

Mercedes duel at the front

Following a standing restart Russell seized the lead from Gasly before Max Verstappen joined the fray to briefly take control. However, it was Antonelli who stole the show. Slicing through the field with remarkable ease, the young Italian surged from 19th to third within 13 laps.

Antonelli quickly dispatched Verstappen and engaged in a fierce wheel-to-wheel battle with Russell for the lead. The two Mercedes drivers repeatedly traded positions while dropping the chasing pack, seemingly ignoring instructions from the pit wall to hold station.

Here's the moment Antonelli passed Verstappen for P2 🎥#F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/5ydfDweMXy

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 6, 2026

Strategic gamble pays dividends

The race turned on its head when Lance Stroll retired to trigger a Virtual Safety Car on lap 29. Mercedes boldly pitted Antonelli for fresh medium tyres while Russell remained out on fading hards.

Emerging in sixth place, Antonelli faced a 13-second deficit to his teammate but possessed a massive grip advantage. The Italian set a blistering pace as he effortlessly carved his way past Gasly, Verstappen and both McLarens to set up a grandstand finish.

This Mercedes battle is unreal! 🍿#F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/YD1w2yPKHU

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 6, 2026

Read more: Barrichello revives Schumacher’s Ferrari as Monza honours its past

A dramatic climax

With four laps remaining Antonelli caught Russell but almost threw his sensational recovery away with a heart-stopping trip through the gravel while attempting a pass. Undeterred, he cleaned his dusty tyres and launched a decisive move into the Ascari chicane on lap 51.

Antonelli crossed the line 3.8 seconds clear of Russell to extend his championship lead on an unforgettable afternoon in Monza. Verstappen completed the podium ahead of McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Hamilton recovered to sixth ahead of Gasly while Arvid Lindblad, Franco Colapinto and Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the points-paying positions. Yuki Tsunoda scored his first points in this season in his second race substituting Isack Hadjar.

What a day! WHAT A DRIVE ⚡️#F1 #VCARB #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/c2vndKo6wM

— Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team (@visacashapprb) September 6, 2026

Kimi Antonelli now leads the championship by 66 points.

Italian Grand Prix top 10