From 19th place on the grid to victory? Kimi Antonelli was just longing for damage control before the Italian Grand Prix in Monza on Sunday. The result was, sensationally, the young Italian's seventh triumph in a Mercedes this season: "Oh, my God," Antonelli shouted into the on-board microphone, seemingly louder than his engine in the rear roaring at full throttle: "This is crazy, this is a dream."
And at the same time a serious setback for the contrite teammate George Russell, who, after being intercepted, came second ahead of Max Verstappen in the Red Bull. In the drivers' championship, Antonelli extended his lead to 66 points ahead of Russell. Ferrari experienced a disaster.
The race was barely two laps old when Ferrari fans were up in arms - out of sheer disappointment. Scuderia team boss Frédéric Vasseur looked worried in his command post. Charles Leclerc ended up doing better than he initially thought; after his Ferrari spun off the track at high speed at the end of the famous Parabolika corner (now the Alboreto corner), shot across the gravel bed and crashed sideways into the barrier.
The Monegasque climbed out of the cockpit, initially appearing a little dazed. Maybe also from this horror: the SF26 was pretty much junk, the Grand Prix had run. Mamma mia!
Ferrari wanted to fight for victory with Mercedes. They saw each other on equal terms, the starting positions of Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in the second row spoke of a chance. But the helmsmen missed the first opportunity on the way to the chicane and through the eye of the bottleneck in the factory duel. Hamilton tried to squeeze past his teammate in the first right bend. Vain.
Hamilton criticizes Leclerc: “He pushed me out”
In the following left turn he got into the gravel on the outside with his right front and rear wheels. “He pushed me out,” the seven-time world champion claimed via on-board radio in the style of an unsuccessful suppressor. The picture said something different. There was no room for Leclerc to leave more space. He didn't get a second chance.
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About 40 minutes after the race was stopped, the Ferrari community among the official 100,000 spectators saw the extent of the unsuccessful start at the restart. Only one Ferrari left in the field – in eighth place. There was also a special feature in Monza. A pit stop is usually enough. After a few minutes at racing speed, all drivers used the forced break to change tires - according to the forecast - only. Which initially robbed everyone in the lower ranks of hope of making progress through a clever strategy.
Mercedes benefits
One of the few beneficiaries - at first glance - was the Mercedes crew: Russell, because shortly before the accident he had overtaken Pierre Gasly (Alpine/7th), the surprise winner of qualifying, and taken the lead. Antonelli, because after being moved back to 19th place on the grid due to the drive change, he was already in twelfth place, which was beyond the permitted limit. What a beautiful view for the Italian: after a few minutes he was already in sight of Hamilton, Russell's second rival in the fight for the world title.
If it can't be Ferrari at the home game in Monza, then maybe a fellow countryman? The pilot, who recently turned 20, warms the hearts of purists with his driving style: cheekily attacking, taking advantage of every gap. So he raced through the field, hot on the heels of the fleeing Hamilton. He also overtook and was left behind by his successor in the Silver Arrow and others: sixth.
Antonelli replaces Ferrari
Even before the Italian Grand Prix, observers tried to “write” Antonelli into a Ferrari. For now, the world championship's youngest leader is firmly strapped into Mercedes. He is considered the chief pilot and is already superior to the experienced Russell. On the 17th lap, the track announcer reported: “Antonelli is leading.”
Because of damage limitation after the early drive change for a route that allows such rides: from 19th place to victory? Chamber. The new regulations lead to the yo-yo game that drivers like Fernando Alonso (canceled) complain about on high-speed courses with long straights. Because the batteries are drained too quickly and provoke counterattacks non-stop.
In any case, the interested spectator is well advised not to let his gaze wander: Antonelli and Russell showed a lively interplay in the middle of the race. Sometimes one, then the other at the front - ahead of Verstappen, who had fallen behind in the Red Bull. A factory duel for those with strong nerves. Until the strategists on the pit wall recommended that Antonelli give up the time-consuming and tire rubber-wasting games.
Because the tires didn't survive his fireworks display: Like Verstappen, Antonelli had fresh tires fitted a second time and then basically started from the back again in sixth place - a good twenty laps before the end. To the delight of the audience, including sports greats such as tennis star Jannik Sinner and the captain of the German national soccer team, Joshua Kimmich.
Russell risks the disaster
They saw Antonelli pass Gasly again, then world champion Lando Norris in the McLaren (4th), again - see you twice in the Grand Prix - Hamilton, and finally Oscar Piastri (5th) in second place. Always Verstappen in “tow”. The four-time world champion couldn't keep up the pace as Antonelli stormed towards a tricky finale: will he still take the lead and win from Russell on the ancient tires?
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Five laps before the end, Antonelli appears in the rearview mirror, filling the entire frame. In the 48th of 52 it seems to be over, but Russell fights back, Antonelli slips into the gravel in the first chicane and drifts out again. It's not just stones flying. Antonelli throws in a curse. The box sends its message: “No risk.” No sooner said than done. In the 50th, Antonelli whizzes past. Fans stand up in the stands and applaud frenetically, many in Ferrari shirts. Choir singing accompanies the compatriot at the award ceremony.
One question has been answered. Antonelli will finally be Mercedes' World Cup candidate and will enjoy advantages from now on if necessary. A second question remains open: Why didn't other teams also try to get away with a second pit stop?
