(Motorsport-Total.com) – Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff emphasizes that he already felt something special on Saturday. No matter how many races Kimi Andrea Antonelli will win during his Formula 1 career: For Wolff, Monza 2026 will always hold a special status.
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Just like six years ago – when Pierre Gasly triumphed for AlphaTauri – September 6 at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza once again proved to be a historic date.
In 2026, local hero Antonelli sent the Tifosi in the stands into pure ecstasy – after there were initially only tears among the Italian fans on Sunday afternoon following Charles Leclerc’s heavy crash in the Parabolica.
A historic race
Antonelli, however, burned a remarkable comeback into the asphalt. After changing his power unit and consequently starting from 19th place, no one probably expected his victory. That was actually the idea behind the engine change: to take any pressure off the youngster’s shoulders. But Antonelli still managed the impossible.
The championship leader had already fought his way up to twelfth place by the red flag. After the restart, the Italian literally plowed through the field like a hot knife through butter – on the way to what Antonelli himself calls his best Formula 1 win to date.
Fernando Alonso was considered extremely optimistic beforehand with his prediction that Antonelli would make it to the podium. But Wolff knew – even if he did not want to say it out loud before the race start – what the young Italian would be capable of on home soil that day.
Wolff had a hunch
“I thought that one of our two drivers would win,” Wolff reveals. “Either George, because he was on pole, or Kimi, because here in Monza he will simply walk on water. And I already had that feeling yesterday.”
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When asked why he already sensed Antonelli’s gala after qualifying, the Austrian elaborates: “It has been a while since I have seen such an energy level, this attitude, mentality, or behavioral patterns in a driver. I just knew: His mission today is to win this race. I even talked to his father yesterday, and he saw it coming too.”
“These are exactly the moments when you recognize from the individual sessions how such a weekend comes together and feel that something extraordinary can happen. But in the end, it remains a mechanical sport, and the tide can turn quickly.”
This victory remains memorable
In the entire history of Formula 1, only one driver has ever managed to win from an even further back starting position: John Watson in 1983 in Long Beach.
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Everyone in the royal park of Monza thus witnessed something historic. Still, Wolff smiles when asked where this triumph ranks among the most special wins of his Formula 1 career.
“That sounds extremely unromantic now, but I actually forget wins quite quickly!” admits the Mercedes motorsport chief.
A late revenge
“There are a few that I remember. Maybe my first, even though it is not as glamorous as one would wish: Pastor Maldonado in Barcelona. Or Nico Rosberg with Mercedes-Benz, the first time in Monaco. And Lewis Hamilton’s win in Singapore.”
“So there are definitely a handful of these really big moments. And this one certainly belongs to those I will always remember.”
Apart from the spectacular comeback through the entire field, the success is emotionally charged for Wolff for another reason: Two years ago, Antonelli crashed heavily on the same track when Mercedes gave him his debut at a Grand Prix weekend in the first free practice.
The big milestone
Wolff sees this as the best proof of the rapid development Antonelli has made in such a short time: “In a way, this closes the circle. Two years ago in the first practice, it was probably the hardest moment of his career so far for him and his family. A moment when absolutely everyone had doubts – including him.”
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“And exactly two years later follows the greatest triumph, the career highlight so far, which will probably remain one of the big milestones also with regard to his future.”
Wolff’s conclusion: “Even if he were to win another 200 Grands Prix: This race will always remain something very special. And from exactly this perspective, I want to view this day.”
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