2026 F1 Italian Grand Prix Recap

By Ryan Wu

After a shocking pole position from Pierre Gasly, who earned the first pole of his career ahead of all the championship favorites, it was Kimi Antonelli who ultimately won the race despite starting from 19th.

Gasly held off George Russell during qualifying but lost his lead after a Charles Leclerc crash led to a race restart. Gasly’s lead would not last long, as he quickly lost positions to Russell and Max Verstappen, who then spent the next few laps fighting for the race lead. Lewis Hamilton and Leclerc would also make contact coming out of Turn 2 at the infamous Monza corner following the main straight.

Race Recap

George Russell took the lead from Pierre Gasly on Lap 2 and then became embroiled in a battle for second with Leclerc and Verstappen. A massive crash involving Leclerc on Lap 3 required a race restart after he hit the wall while defending against Oscar Piastri.

Behind them, Antonelli, who had taken a new power unit and received a grid penalty, had already climbed to fifth after just 10 laps. He continued to breeze through the field, making short work of Hamilton and Piastri before passing Verstappen on Lap 16. He then began battling his teammate Russell for the lead on Lap 17.

Antonelli and Russell enjoyed a spirited battle, with the advantage shifting between the two depending on their energy levels and deployment. Antonelli was eventually given team orders to stop fighting and focus on pulling away from Verstappen.

A virtual safety car caused by a Lance Stroll incident on Lap 28 allowed Antonelli and Verstappen to pit, while Russell opted to remain on track.

Antonelli then resumed his charge through the field, picking off drivers one by one before finally passing Russell on the main straight on Lap 49. Russell was running on hard tires that were 43 laps old at that point. The pair then entered Monza’s first right hand corner, where Antonelli ran wide into the gravel. He recovered and took the lead from Russell one lap later at his home race.

Verstappen would finish third to round out the podium.

Antonelli’s Historic Charge

With the win, Kimi Antonelli came within three places of the record for the lowest starting position from which a driver has won a race. That record was established by John Watson, who triumphed at Long Beach in 1983 after starting from 22nd.

Antonelli’s decision to take a new power unit proved to be a great gamble. He overcame a huge deficit in starting position and demonstrated a pace advantage that even Russell, despite driving the same car, could not match. It was a remarkable performance from Antonelli at his home race.

Racing Refresh Driver of the Day

Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Final Points Finishing Positions

1st:  Kimi Antonelli

2nd: George Russell

3rd: Max Verstappen

4th: Lando Norris

5th: Oscar Piastri

6th: Lewis Hamilton

7th: Pierre Gasly

8th: Arvid Lindblad

9th: Franco Colapinto

10th: Yuki Tsunoda

Next on the F1 Schedule:

Spanish Grand Prix: September 11th-13th