Kimi Antonelli gave Italy a Formula 1 afternoon to remember at Monza, producing a spectacular comeback to become the first Italian driver to win the Italian Grand Prix in 60 years.
The 20-year-old Mercedes star started 19th after taking penalties for new power-unit components, yet charged through the field at the Temple of Speed. Antonelli eventually caught teammate George Russell and passed him with two laps remaining, taking an extraordinary victory in front of an ecstatic Italian crowd. Russell finished second and Max Verstappen third.
The result carried enormous significance for Italian motorsport. Before Antonelli, only 3 Italians had won the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza: Nino Farina won the inaugural World Championship edition in 1950 for Alfa Romeo; Alberto Ascari triumphed for Ferrari in 1951 and 1952; and Ludovico Scarfiotti delivered the last home victory in 1966, also driving a Ferrari.
Sixty years later, Antonelli has finally added his name to that extraordinary Italian roll of honor. He has also done something none of those legends achieved – win at Monza at such a young age. At 20, Antonelli is the youngest Italian Grand Prix winner in the Formula 1 World Championship era.
The setting made the achievement even more powerful. Monza remains one of world motorsport’s great theaters – 5.793 kilometers of straights, historic corners and enormous speeds, with cars running at full throttle for roughly 76% of a lap.
Antonelli’s victory was his seventh of the 2026 season and extended his championship advantage over Russell to 66 points. But numbers only tell part of the story. On the podium, the young Italian was visibly emotional before waving the Tricolore.
For one unforgettable afternoon, Monza celebrated not simply a winner, but an Italian winner again.
