Kimi Antonelli secured a historic first‑class victory for Mercedes at the Italian Grand Prix, taking the Sainz‑sponsored cars from a 19th‑grid start to triumph on Monza’s storied straights.
The 20‑year‑old recovered from a 10‑place engine penalty, navigating the field to overtake teammate George Russell in the final laps as the 2026 season proceeded to its seventh win for the Italian.
After crossing the line, Antonelli tweeted a brief thank you to the home crowd: “P1 at home!! It’s a dream come true. The Monza podium feels indescribable, and the mass of fans created an unforgettable atmosphere. My gratitude goes to everyone who made this possible.”
The result pushed Antonelli’s championship lead sharply; he now sits 66 points ahead of Russell, the second‑placed driver in the second‑positional battle within the Mercedes squad.
When asked by Sky Sports F1 about the mood after his win, Antonelli remained measured: “I don’t see that the title is mine to lose. I focus race by race – today we had a true opportunity and we seized it. Next week is Madrid, a brand‑new challenge that will demand full concentration.”
With Madrid looming, Antonelli’s Monza triumph marks a rare home victory for a Mercedes entrant since 1966, cementing his status as the fastest home driver in Monza history.
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