The Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes driver, staged a spectacular comeback in the Italian Grand Prix and took victory in Monza to reinforce his lead in the Formula 1 World Championship.
The young driver, who has just turned 20, started from nineteenth position and made a memorable comeback in front of his home crowd to win his seventh victory in Formula 1, all of them obtained this season.
“I am extremely happy. I could never have imagined this,” declared Antonelli as soon as he got out of the car, while receiving the support of the thousands of Italian fans who filled the Monza circuit.
“It’s a dream come true, it’s been an incredible day,” added the driver born in Bologna, who especially appreciated the work of Mercedes and the support of the local fans.
A comeback for history in Monza
Antonelli explained that after the second start he understood that he had a real chance to fight for victory and decided to trust his chances.
“The truth is that we have done a sensational job. After the second start I knew I had a chance. And I believed in it,” he said.
Mercedes’ strategy was decisive. During a virtual safety car, Antonelli entered the pits to put on medium tires, while his teammate, Briton George Russell, decided to stay on the track on the hard tires.
The difference ended up being key in the final part of the race.
“I stopped and George stayed on the track. And with the new tires I managed it,” explained the Italian.
Antonelli also had a moment of maximum tension when he tried to overtake Russell and went wide at the first chicane. The Mercedes driver managed to avoid getting stuck in the gravel and was able to continue his comeback to take the win.
“That situation left me a bit in a state of shock. At first I thought I got to the corner well, but then I thought I had botched it. Fortunately, I was able to come back and ended up winning,” he said.
Antonelli, ever closer to making history
With this victory, Antonelli reaches the next Spanish Grand Prix, which will be held at the Madring in Madrid, as the outstanding leader of the championship.
The Italian has 267 points, 66 more than George Russell and 76 above seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who finished sixth at Monza.
With several races remaining in the championship, Antonelli now has the chance to become the third Italian Formula 1 world champion, 73 years after the last title won by Alberto Ascari.
Precisely, the Mercedes driver starred in the final overtake on Russell in the Ascari variant, one of the most emblematic corners of the Lombard circuit.
“Without the team I would never have achieved it. There are still a couple of races left, but I’m going to celebrate this day properly. Because it wasn’t easy, it was a really complicated victory,” said Antonelli.
After an unforgettable day in the temple of speed, the young Italian made it clear that he will enjoy a victory that could mark a before and after in his career.
“It’s incredible, I’m very happy; I’m happy to have won here,” he concluded.
