He starts nineteenth and wins after 26 overtakings, the last overtaking his teammate Russell. Verstappen third. Ferrari disaster: Leclerc throws Hamilton out and then goes out on the parabolic. The Englishman finished in sixth place behind the Mc Larens of Norris and Piastri
“Maybe because I love you.” The people of Monza sing the song of the Rich and the Poor while Kimi Antonelli with the lightness of his twenty years jumps onto the podium as happy as a child. He has a tricolor on him, sings the Mameli anthem and is as moved as when he shouts “Oh my god” on the team radio a moment after the victory. A few days ago he celebrated his birthday at the Aquafan in Riccione with the friends he grew up with, today in Monza he achieved a feat that will remain in the history of Formula 1. Antonelli started nineteenth and made twenty-six overtakes and after the tire change decided by his team he recovered 14 seconds from the leader and teammate George Russell overtaking him with two laps to go after a thrill at the first chicane due not to his mistake but to the ruined asphalt and then on the last lap he set the best time of this legendary day in Monza. Seven victories in this world championship and consolidated lead in the standings, but Kimi’s great victory is that of having brought all the Ferrari people on his side. At a certain point in the race, the thousands of Red fans had eyes only for him, a roar accompanied every overtaking until the apotheosis. Tens of thousands of people invade the track as is the Monza tradition, all crazy for this twenty year old boy who is proving to be a true phenomenon more and more every day. The last victory by an Italian in Monza was 60 years ago, it was Lodovico Scarfiotti to triumph. Now there is Kimi Antonelli to rewrite the history of motor racing and to make people dream of that world title which bears the signature of Alberto Ascari. It was 1953, another world.
Kimi’s happiness
As soon as Kimi got out of the car he went to hug the family who follows him and supports him in his business and then, very excited, he said: “It was a challenge but we did it. I didn’t think I would win starting from 19th on the grid but here we are. I’m very happy, without the Mercedes team and my family I would never have done it. We’ll think about the World Championship then, in the meantime let’s celebrate today’s first place.” In the meantime, however, Kimi’s lead over Russell rises to 66 points and the demonstration of strength given in Monza by the Italian driver suggests a very favorable end to the season for the Italian. Then Kimi reflects on his achievement: “I don’t know what I did, I never thought it would go like this. I’m still trying to realize, I said that winning was a dream and today I managed to make it come true. There are still many races to go and we have to keep our heads down, but in the meantime I’m enjoying this victory. I’m very happy, without the Mercedes team and my family I would never have made it.” Then on the brawl against his teammate: “When I ended up in the gravel I got scared, I thought I had missed my opportunity, but then I managed to recover and overtake Russell. After the second start I knew I could finish first: I saw that I was there – in 13th position – and I said to myself “You have to win this one.”. I believed it, especially when I found myself behind George. It wasn’t easy, but it’s beautiful.” Then on the Italian fans: “What a day! The support from the stands was absurd. At the exit of the first chicane I saw the stands, the people standing, and I got excited. During the race I saw the people to my right: I knew I had to cross the finish line first and do it for them.”
Ferrari disaster
Antonelli makes Italy happy after the sensational flop of the Ferraris who had promised great exploits in Monza and instead accumulated error after error. Incredible the almost clash between Leclerc and Hamilton at the start with the Monegasque pushing the Englishman off the track, then Leclerc overtook Gasly and seemed capable of fighting for the top before being overtaken again by the Alpine driver and also by Verstappen. At the parabolica then Leclerc’s Ferrari SF-26 went straight into the wall: very strong blow and concerns for the condition of the driver who a few minutes later in the pits said he was fine without going into the merits of the contact with his teammate. At the restart Hamilton found himself fighting with cars faster than his: in addition to the two Mercedes and Verstappen’s Red Bull, at the end also the Mc Larens of Norris and Piastri. Sixth place is a big disappointment for Hamilton and for Ferrari
