Kimi Antonelli remained at the center of Formula 1 attention this Monday after his historic victory at the Italian Grand Prix. Starting from a mere 19th position, the Italian won at Monza, becoming the first driver from his country to triumph on the circuit since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966, and he also led a Mercedes one-two.
The performance gained even greater significance when viewed through the numbers. Antonelli secured the victory from the second-worst starting position for a winner in F1 history, only behind John Watson, who won at Long Beach in 1983 from 22nd. Nico Rosberg also compared the young 20-year-old’s comeback to the great performances of Michael Schumacher, while George Russell, in second place, cemented himself in the runner-up position in the championship.
While Mercedes celebrated, Ferrari began the week trying to manage the consequences of a tricky home Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc made contact on the opening lap, and the Monegasque later retired after a severe crash. Frédéric Vasseur admitted that the team now needs to discuss its policy on internal team orders, after defending up to now the freedom for the two drivers to contest for positions.
Leclerc’s situation also became a concern for the next stage. The driver left the medical center with no identified injuries, but revealed a temporary change in vision after the impact and said he would undergo further examinations before confirming his participation in Madrid. Ferrari also intends to investigate a possible difference in power delivery perceived by the driver prior to the accident.
Hamilton, for his part, assessed that Ferrari has already missed the ideal moment to use team orders in favor of its title bid. After finishing only sixth in Monza, the Briton said the decision would come “many weeks” too late, increasing the weight of the internal debate precisely as the season enters its decisive phase.
And Formula 1 is already shifting focus to a completely new territory. The next weekend marks the debut of Madring, in Madrid, as the venue for the Spanish Grand Prix. The semi-permanent circuit will be new to the entire grid, though Ferrari sees its more winding characteristics as a possible momentum changer after the challenges faced on Monza’s long straights.
