Kimi Antonelli once again demonstrated he is the man to beat this F1 season after a stunning victory at the Italian Grand Prix.
The 20-year-old started in 19th on the grid but produced a sensational fightback to become the first Italian to triumph at Monza since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966.
His win is the second furthest back a driver has ever come from to win a Grand Prix after John Watson’s victory from 22nd on the grid in the 1983 United States Grand Prix West.
Antonelli’s win is a huge psychological blow to George Russell who was passed by his Mercedes team-mate with three laps to go.
The manner of his triumph means he has now extended his lead at the top of the championship standings to 66 points from Russell. He is looking on course to become the sport’s youngest-ever world champion.
‘I did not expect,’ Antonelli reflected post-race. ‘Unbelievable. I am so happy, I could never imagine being here today.’
George Russell: Kimi Antonelli deserves to lead F1 standings
With 10 races to go, Russell has conceded that it is Antonelli’s championship to lose.
‘It is definitely Kimi who is in control of it (the championship battle) and he is deserving to be in control,’ said Russell – who was the pre-season favourite to win the F1 title. ‘I am not even thinking about a fight or a comeback.
‘It is going to be exceptionally challenging to overcome that gap. I am sort of accepting that is what it is. And I am going to try and enjoy it from here on in and win as many races as possible.’
While it was a Mercedes one-two on the podium, they were joined by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in third.
Current F1 world champion Lando Norris finished fourth, ahead of his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.
Lewis Hamilton finished crossed the chequered flag in sixth, but the Ferrari driver had an eventful race which saw his team-mate Charles Leclerc barge him on to the grass on the opening lap – before the latter later crashed out of the race.
Pierre Gasly (seventh), Arvid Lindblad (eighth), Franco Colapinto (ninth) and Yuki Tsunoda (tenth) rounded out the top 10 as the last four places were split among Alpine and Racing Bulls.
What’s next?
The next race on the calendar is in Madrid with the first Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring across September 11-13. That circuit will include both street circuit and road course sections for its drivers.
