Kimi Antonelli wins Italian Grand Prix from 19th position

Formula One championship leader Kimi Antonelli secured a historic victory at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza on Sunday, September 6, 2026. Despite starting from 19th on the grid due to an engine penalty, the 20-year-old Italian driver fought through the field to win the race, becoming the first Italian to win at Monza since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966. Mercedes teammate George Russell finished in second place, trailing Antonelli by 3.857 seconds, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed third.

The race saw significant drama, including a heavy crash involving Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at the end of the second lap, which triggered a red flag and a subsequent restart. Before the race, Antonelli held a 59-point lead over Russell in the championship standings. Following the race results, his lead has extended to 66 points after 13 rounds of the season. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised Antonelli's performance, noting that he had anticipated a strong showing from the young driver despite his poor starting position.

This victory marks Antonelli’s seventh win of the season. He remains the leader of the Formula One world championship as the season progresses, continuing his dominant form in his home country.