Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes driver, achieved a surprising victory from 19th position at the Italian Grand Prix. However, the Formula 1 title contender considers that his triumph from pole at the Circuit of the Americas is even more noteworthy.
After being forced to start from the back of the grid in Monza due to a power unit change, Antonelli displayed a spectacular recovery capability. This was his seventh victory of an exceptional 2026 season, which soon turned into eight with the win in Madrid and another triumph in Austin.
Sunday’s race was completely different because Antonelli started from pole and followed a one-stop strategy, while other drivers in front of him opted for double stops. His final advantage was 13 seconds over podium finisher Charles Leclerc.
Antonelli commented, ‘In Monza, clearly, we had the fastest car. It was a track where it was relatively easier to overtake and our speed was phenomenal, so it’s a victory I will always remember. However, I think in Austin, in terms of execution, it was better, as the way we built our performance throughout the weekend was very effective.’
With this victory, Antonelli has a 123-point lead over his teammate George Russell, and needs just two points at the next GP of Mexico to secure his first title. This season has been a spectacular journey, with Antonelli showing clear progress from his first year.
‘It has been a surprise all season,’ he added. ‘It’s not over yet, but I want to keep the pace and continue fighting for victories until the end. Each race helps me improve my mentality and strategy in different situations.’
Antonelli emphasized the importance of his team and family support to remain calm amid expectations. ‘Many have talked about the title since Thursday, but I just focused on getting the best possible result,’ he concluded. This latest victory has been significant for both him and the team, solidifying a successful season.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
