Antonelli Wins Italian Grand Prix From 19th Place

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli secured victory at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, overcoming a 19th-place grid start to win a chaotic race at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.

Antonelli passed his teammate George Russell, who had started second, with four laps remaining to take the chequered flag. The result extends Antonelli’s lead in the world championship standings to 66 points over his nearest rival.

The win marks the second-farthest starting position from which a driver has ever won a Formula 1 grand prix, trailing only John Watson’s victory from 22nd on the grid at the 1983 United States Grand Prix West.

Antonelli was already challenging Russell for the lead within 16 laps of the race start. Mid-race, he pitted for fresh tyres during a virtual safety car period, a strategic call that allowed him to close a 15-second deficit to Russell before overtaking him decisively.

The partisan Italian crowd, traditionally aligned with Ferrari, instead celebrated Antonelli as he took the flag.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished third, ahead of the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in fourth and fifth, respectively.

The race was marked by multiple incidents and strategic shifts, with Antonelli’s tyre management and pace proving the decisive factors in his comeback victory.