Kimi Antonelli produces epic comeback from 19TH to win Italian GP in major blow to Lewis Hamilton’s title hopes

KIMI ANTONELLI produced an epic comeback from 19TH in the grid to win the Italian Grand Prix. You may as well hand the Bologna-born 20-year-old the title now, as this race was supposed to be a golden chance for George Russell and Lewis Hamilton’s championship hopes. Kimi Antonelli won the Italian Grand Prix after starting in 19th Credit: Reuters Antonelli is the first Italian driver to win in Monza in 60-years Credit: Getty Charles Leclerc crashed out on Lap 2 Credit: Sky Sports The barrier had to be repaired Credit: Sky Sports Antonelli started the race near the back of the grid after taking an engine penalty with Merc saying the best outcome would be a fifth place finish. Antonelli told them to hold his gelato as he became the first Italian winner at Monza since Ludovico Scarfiotti 60-years ago. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Only one driver has come back from further ahead and that was John Watson who holds the F1 record for winning a Grand Prix from the lowest grid position. He came from 22nd place at the 1983 Long Beach Grand Prix. Antonelli’s blistering drive meant Russell had to settle for second ahead of Max Verstappen in third. The Italian driver is now 66-points ahead of Russell, who despite being very gracious in defeat was booed on the podium, while Hamilton is 76 adrift of the lead. There was a nailbiting tussle between the two Mercedes late on but Antonelli made his final overtake stick with three laps to go. It was supposed to be Ferrari’s big day out with the boisterous Tifosi packing out the stands. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS But the Scudderia were left with a sixth place finish for Lewis Hamilton and a DNF from Charles Leclerc who suffered a massive crash only two laps in. The two even made contact on the first lap with Leclerc squeezing Hamilton wide. The best travel deals for F1 NOTHING comes close to the thrill of a live Grand Prix – and YOU can be there to see it all. Get the full F1 experience with these unbeatable deals. 🇮🇹 ITALY – 3 to 8 Sept – From £789pp 🇦🇿 AZERBAIJAN – 22 to 27 Sept – From £1,399pp 🇸🇬 SINGAPORE– 7 to 14 Oct – From £1,999pp 🇺🇸 AUSTIN, USA – 21 to 26 Oct – From £2,799pp 🇶🇦 QATAR – 27 to 29 Nov – From £1,049pp 🇦🇪 ABU DHABI – 4 to 6 Dec – From £2,049pp See ALL our F1 travel offers HERE *If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. Russell had to settle for second while Verstappen came third Credit: Getty The 28-year-old then smashed into the barriers in the second lap after a massive wheel spin. He got overtaken on the way in by Piastri then touched the white line and dramatically clattered through the gravel. The barrier and his car suffered massive damage but thankfully he was unhurt, despite looking miserable hunched over on the grass, trackside. There was a 15-minute delay as the barrier had to be repaired and then an extra formation lap as Yuki Tsunoda did not line up correctly in his starting spot. Russell, who overtook pole-sitter Pierre Gasly at the start of lap 2, got off well from the restart. Out of nowhere, Verstappen was suddenly hot on his heels having dispatched Gasly and was the new race leader by lap 12. Antonelli had shot up into 12th at the first start and then bulldozed into third after the restart. Russell, Antonelli and Verstappen all traded blows before the young Italian led the race for the first time on lap 16. The Mercedes drivers traded the lead twice more as they soared away from Verstappen. Russell passed Antonelli again and the Merc duo were told to stop yo-yoing on their team radio to try and build a bigger gap to Verstappen. The Virtual Safety Car was called into action as Lance Stroll stopped on track, handing Antonelli and Verstappen a free pit stop while Russell for some reason stayed out. Antonelli began the hunt for the lead and nearly overtook Russell but went into the gravel in a heart in mouth moment. He recovered to stay in less than a second behind and Monza erupted as he took the lead on lap 50. Comment now