Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised Kimi Antonelli for an “amazing drive” from 19th on the grid to victory at the Italian Grand Prix, insisting “there was nothing that would have stopped him” during Sunday’s race at Monza.
Antonelli Charges Through the Field
Antonelli started at the rear of the grid due to a power unit change but produced a masterclass in racecraft, working his way up the order across an action-packed encounter. The Italian rookie showed consistently strong pace and executed a series of clean overtakes, making up seven places in only a couple of laps before Charles Leclerc’s heavy crash at the final corner brought out a red flag.
The Mercedes driver continued his charge after the restart, making an initial move on teammate George Russell for the lead on Lap 18 of 53.
Strategic Masterstroke Under VSC
A mid-race Virtual Safety Car period proved decisive as Mercedes split their strategies. Russell stayed out on worn hard tyres while Antonelli pitted for fresh mediums — a call the Italian put to perfect use to beat the sister Silver Arrow and claim victory.
Wolff Hails “Amazing Drive”
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 afterwards, Wolff said: “He kept his head down, took no risks at the beginning with the restart, and then one by one, one by one [passed his rivals]… I must really say, an amazing drive.”
Asked about the early red flag potentially working against Antonelli, who had started on hard tyres, and the VSC pit stop bringing things back into his favour, Wolff added: “Yeah, it was after all… the two-stop was the best, but we didn’t think it was the case. That was good for him, actually.
“But, you know, today there was nothing that would have stopped him.
“Obviously George fought with worn out [tyres] at the end, but I’m really happy for the one and two – it’s great.”
Championship Implications
Antonelli’s latest triumph extends his lead to 66 points over Russell in the Drivers’ Championship standings, while Mercedes have opened a 122-point advantage over Ferrari in the Constructors’ battle.
