Antonelli takes stunning Monza win from 19th on grid

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli secured a stunning victory at the Italian Grand Prix, starting from 19th on the grid and moving past teammate George Russell with four laps remaining to extend his championship lead to 66 points. The win marks the second‑furthest back a driver has ever come from to win a Grand Prix, trailing only John Watson’s triumph from 22nd place at the 1983 United States Grand Prix West. Antonelli was already matching Russell’s pace and contending for the lead within 16 laps of the start. He opted to pit for fresh tyres under a virtual safety car, erasing a 15‑second deficit before overtaking Russell on the track. Italian fans, who traditionally back Ferrari, rose to applaud their new leader as Antonelli crossed the line to take the chequered flag. Max Verstappen claimed the final podium spot ahead of the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Key storylines from the gripping Monza contest were: - Antonelli’s compelling and spectacular win, the highlight of a standout season for the Italian driver. - A deeply disappointing race for Russell, who knew he needed to capitalize on the event to reduce the points gap to his teammate. - A lacklustre home showing for Ferrari, with Lewis Hamilton finishing sixth and Charles Leclerc retiring early. - A strong recovery performance by McLaren. More to follow.