At Monza, we witnessed something historic—something never before seen on the Italian circuit.
Kimi Antonelli, leader of the Formula One Drivers’ Championship, started from 19th on the grid due to changes made to his Mercedes power unit during the week. Yet, he pulled off an incredible comeback to win the Grand Prix ahead of his teammate Russell, who had started second.
Only John Watson, at the 1983 US Grand Prix West, managed a greater feat than the young Italian phenomenon, as the Briton started from 22nd on the grid in that instance. Nevertheless, Antonelli’s achievement has secured its place in history.
Kimi also brought the Italian flag back to the top at Monza for the first time in 60 years—the last Italian victory there dating back to Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966 with Ferrari. Antonelli is also the first Italian ever to win at Monza with a non-Italian team (previously, Ascari had won the Italian Grand Prix twice, but always with Ferrari).
However, there’s little time for Antonelli and his entourage to celebrate, as racing resumes this weekend in Spain—but not in Barcelona as tradition would have it, rather on the brand new street circuit in Madrid.
After Monza, Antonelli further extended his lead in the Drivers’ standings (in a weekend where almost everyone expected his rivals to claw back points), and the championship table now looks like this:
Drivers’ Standings after 13 Grands Prix:
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 267 points
George Russell (Mercedes) – 201 points
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 191 points
Lando Norris (McLaren) – 171 points
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 155 points
The Constructors’ Championship standings after Monza, heading into the Spanish Grand Prix:
Constructors’ Standings:
Mercedes – 468 points
Ferrari – 346 points
McLaren – 287 points
Red Bull – 204 points
Some Numbers on the Spanish Grand Prix
As mentioned, this weekend’s race takes place in Madrid, on a completely new street circuit that could hold a few surprises. The Madrid circuit is 5.416 km long, featuring 24 corners (14 right-handers and 10 left-handers) over a total of 57 laps.
So far, the Spanish Grand Prix—though never before in Madrid—has been held 56 times, with Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton sharing the record for most wins at seven each.
Last season, on the Barcelona circuit, it was Piastri in the McLaren who took victory in the Spanish GP, ahead of teammate Norris and Ferrari’s Leclerc, who finished third.
And How Are Ferrari Shaping Up for the Spanish Weekend?
Antonelli’s stunning victory at Monza thrilled the Italian fans, who traditionally flock to the Brianza circuit to cheer on the Prancing Horse.
This time, almost all the support was for Antonelli, which at least overshadowed the many problems within Ferrari that once again surfaced at the Italian GP.
Already on the second lap, Leclerc nearly forced teammate Hamilton off the track, and with Fred Vasseur acting as referee, a serious discussion will be needed between the two at Maranello in the coming days.
Then Leclerc crashed into a wall at 200 km/h, retiring early from the battle for victory, while Hamilton finished a dismal sixth.
If the Drivers’ Championship was already a pipe dream before the summer, Ferrari now seem out of the running for the Constructors’ title as well. In fact, they need to watch out for McLaren, who, having solved their early-season issues, look competitive again—especially with reigning world champion Lando Norris.