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As of April 11, 2025, the Formula 1 world is still buzzing over Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s stunning victory at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver, who started the race from 19th position after an engine change penalty, emerged triumphant in front of a roaring home crowd, calling it “a dream come true.” This win marks the first time an Italian driver has claimed victory at Monza since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966, a gap of 59 years.
Antonelli, visibly emotional after the race, described the experience as “incredible and unbelievable.” Speaking to the BBC, he said, “I couldn’t even imagine that I would be here today, but we managed to do everything right and I’m really, really happy.” The victory was his seventh career win in Formula 1 and his first in front of his home fans.
The race began under a cloud of uncertainty for Antonelli. After qualifying, Mercedes replaced his engine, triggering a mandatory pit-lane start. He dropped to 19th on the grid. However, from the very first lap, Antonelli showed aggressive overtaking, climbing to 12th before the race was red-flagged on lap three due to a spin by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. The stoppage allowed Antonelli to reset his strategy.
The turning point came on lap 29 when Mercedes called Antonelli into the pits under a virtual safety car (VSC). This gamble allowed him to fit fresh tires and rejoin the track in a net gain of several positions. At the restart, Antonelli rapidly closed on the lead pack, overtaking teammate George Russell with a daring move on lap 50 to take the lead. He held on to cross the finish line 2.4 seconds ahead of Russell, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished third.
George Russell, who finished second, acknowledged the team’s gamble. “I was surprised when I saw him go into the pits. In the end, both strategies were a gamble. The team couldn’t know which strategy would be better, so it made sense to split the roles,” Russell said. Mercedes’ strategy director, James Vowles, later confirmed that the decision to call Antonelli in under VSC was made after analyzing real-time data and track position. “Kimi had nothing to lose starting from 19th. We took the aggressive option, and it paid off,” Vowles told Motorsport.com.
Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, admitted he struggled with pace throughout the race. “I was trying to be in overtaking mode, but at one point I lost that opportunity and decided to drive my own race. I had an awkward moment in the second corner because the asphalt started to crumble, so I almost went off the track after picking up gravel. The McLarens were in overtaking mode, which makes a big difference here. In the end I’m happy to finish third and be on the podium,” Verstappen said. This was his fifth podium of the season, but he remains 66 points behind Antonelli in the drivers’ championship.
After 13 rounds, Antonelli leads the drivers’ championship with 267 points. Russell is second with 201 points, and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton (who finished sixth in Monza) is third with 191 points. The gap highlights Mercedes’ dominance in 2025, with three drivers in the top four (including Hamilton who moved to Ferrari this season). The next race is the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, scheduled for April 18, 2025. Antonelli will aim to extend his lead, while Verstappen and the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris look to bounce back.
According to an analysis by Autosport, Antonelli’s victory is especially significant for Italian motorsport. Since Scarfiotti’s 1966 win, Italian drivers have come close but never succeeded at Monza. “Kimi’s win is a watershed moment for Italian F1 fans. The pressure to perform at home is immense, and he handled it with maturity beyond his age,” said former F1 driver and commentator Jarno Trulli in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. Trulli also noted that Antonelli’s aggressive yet calculated driving style resembles that of his compatriot, the late Michele Alboreto.
Mercedes’ team principal Toto Wolff praised Antonelli’s performance, calling it “one of the greatest comebacks in F1 history.” In a post-race press conference, Wolff said, “Kimi showed incredible race craft and patience. Starting from 19th and winning at Monza is something only a special driver can do. He’s proving why we signed him for the long term.” The win also extends Mercedes’ constructors’ championship lead, now standing at 468 points, 78 points ahead of Red Bull.
With seven races remaining in the season, Antonelli holds a comfortable 66-point advantage. However, history shows that championships can tighten quickly. Red Bull’s upgrades for the next race in Madrid are expected to close the gap. Verstappen, known for his mid-season surges, is not giving up. “We’re not where we want to be, but we’re working on it. The season is long,” he said. Meanwhile, Antonelli remains focused: “There are still a few races left, we need to stay focused and keep working, but now we will enjoy today.”
Antonelli’s Monza
