– Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli races from 19th on the grid to victory at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza – and humiliates especially teammate George Russell with this comeback. The Briton had started the race from second place but still crossed the finish line behind the Italian in the end.
Read more Gran Turismo 7: Spec IV update with new cars, tracks, and features announced
“It was a very difficult day for George Russell,” says former Formula 1 driver and Sky expert Martin Brundle. The main reason for the Briton’s defeat was a different strategy: while Russell wanted to stay out on hard tires after the interruption, Antonelli initially chose the medium compound.
During the virtual safety car after Lance Stroll’s (Aston Martin) retirement, the championship leader came in for a pit stop. The 20-year-old then consistently used the tire advantage to work his way forward in the field again and pass his teammate a few laps before the end.
Brundle therefore sees a need for discussion at the Silver Arrows. “[Russell] will certainly have to sit down with the team and ask: ‘How could this happen? I was leading the race. Why was I not given the preferred cheap pit stop there?'”
A fresh tire could have secured the win for Russell
Because Russell actually started the Monza race with great hopes. “For the world championship, this was George’s chance to do something about the deficit – and the deficit has grown,” Brundle recalls with regard to the drivers’ championship.
Read more «Felt him»: Sebastian Vettel with emotional demonstration in Schumacher Ferrari
Photos: F1: Grand Prix of Italy (Monza) 2026
Former W Series driver and Sky expert Naomi Schiff agreed with her colleague’s assessment. “I think maybe the reason we see him so calm at the moment is that he is probably also questioning himself a bit and wondering why he couldn’t gain a bigger advantage from it.”
“But I think in hindsight he will ask questions like: ‘Why couldn’t I come to the pits during the VSC phase?'” adds the racing driver. “Yes, he was on a different strategy and they wanted him to stay out long. But ultimately a fresher set of tires could have secured him the win today.”
Now the situation is even clearer: Kimi Antonelli, who celebrated his seventh win of the season at the home race in Monza, was able to extend his lead further and now leads the championship standings by 66 points ahead of teammate George Russell.
Read more After Leclerc crash: Antonelli wins after incredible comeback in Monza!
