(Motorsport-Total.com) – The 2026 Italian Grand Prix in Monza has already secured a place in the history books after Andrea Kimi Antonelli won his home race thanks to a spectacular comeback from 19th on the grid, overtaking his Mercedes teammate George Russell who finished second.
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For McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, it is clear: this success will last far beyond the current season. “Andrea Kimi, he managed it from the last starting position,” the Italian marvels at the march of the championship leader.
It was not only the competitive Mercedes performance that was decisive. Antonelli also “beat the teammate who started second on the grid,” emphasizes Stella. This direct comparison with Russell adds extra weight to the success in his view.
Antonelli started only from 19th place due to a penalty for using new power unit components. Nevertheless, the 20-year-old worked his way through the field and crossed the finish line as the winner after 53 laps: 3.857 seconds ahead of Russell and 14.718 seconds ahead of Red Bull rival Max Verstappen.
Stella: “A very special day”
Russell actually had much better conditions from the front row and led the race for a long time. Antonelli, on the other hand, had to work his way through the field first before putting pressure on his own teammate in the second part of the race and finally taking the lead.
A virtual safety car phase also played a role: Antonelli used it for another tire change and returned to the track on fresh medium tires, while Russell stayed on used hard tires.
Stella therefore sees Antonelli’s Monza performance not only as an important success in the title fight but as a milestone for his career. “I think it is a very special day, very important for his championship, but also for his career and for motorsport in general,” he explains.
Especially, the McLaren team principal, himself Italian, highlights the emotional dimension of the victory. Antonelli was born in Bologna and is only 20 years old. His triumph in Monza was the first by an Italian at the home Grand Prix since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966. This ended a 60-year dry spell.
“Above all for the Italian fans and the fans of Andrea Kimi, this will be an iconic day,” says Stella. The 55-year-old is sure: “This will be a race that people will remember for many years to come.”
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Historic comeback for Antonelli
Statistically, Antonelli’s performance is also extraordinary. From 19th to victory: only John Watson started further back in a Formula 1 race, winning from 22nd place in Long Beach in 1983. Antonelli is thus second behind Watson in the biggest comebacks to a Formula 1 win.
He shares this spot with American Bill Vukovich, who also won the Indy 500 from 19th place in 1954, which was then part of the Formula 1 World Championship.
Stella is also aware of this historical dimension. “It will be a benchmark, also from the perspective of track records,” he says. “Who is the one who won from an even further back starting position? I believe the record still belongs to John Watson, but Kimi is tied for second.”
Stella describes as extraordinary not only the starting position from which Antonelli worked his way forward but also the pace at which he did so: “What is also impressive is how quickly he caught up to the leaders.”
In fact, Antonelli had already gained twelve positions before the early race stoppage following Charles Leclerc’s crash after three laps. At the second start, he was already in eighth place and continued to work his way forward.
More than just a win in Monza
In the end, it was not only a comeback but also an internal Mercedes duel for the win. Antonelli prevailed against Russell in the final phase and extended his lead in the drivers’ championship with 25 points. After the 13th race of the season, his lead over his teammate is 66 points.
For Stella, the significance of this race Sunday lies on several levels: Antonelli won his home race, came from the back row, beat his teammate, and collected important points for the world championship. Above all, he wrote himself into the history of Monza.
“For him, it is a very special day because he is Italian, because of the historical significance of this victory, because of the championship,” Stella summarizes and emphasizes the long-term importance. “I believe this victory will become iconic.”