Kimi Antonelli said it was a dream come true to win the Italian Grand Prix, as the drivers' championship leader came from the back of the grid to claim an impressive victory. 

Antonelli began Sunday's race in 19th after being awarded a penalty for exceeding power-unit component limits, but he quickly drove his way through the field and into contention.

The red flag was out at the end of lap two after Charles Leclerc was involved in a huge crash, allowing Antonelli to gather his thoughts before returning to the track. 

From there, after a battle with team-mate George Russell, Antonelli held on to the lead he gained from the 50th lap to claim his seventh win of the season. 

Antonelli became the fourth Italian to win an Italian Grand Prix, and the first to win in his home country in the last 60 years, after Ludovico Scarfiotti did so back in 1966. 

Only John Wasto, in the 1983 United States Grand Prix West (21 places, from 22nd on the grid), has made up more places to win a race than Antonelli managed. 

"It is a dream coming true and what an incredible day. I couldn't do it without my team, my family and everyone who supports me," Antonelli said.

"I woke up this morning and I felt good mentally. I thought that a good result would have been a podium and then, after the red flag, I was already P12 after another start.

"After a couple of laps, I was already in the top five, and I knew I could have a shot at the win. Of course, it was very difficult to break away, but we managed to pull it off.

"I take it race by race because you never know what can happen. Today went well, we had a massive opportunity and we took it.

"Next week we have Madrid, and it's going to be a new challenge. We will have to be on top of the game because it's a new track for everyone.

"It's going to be important to be on point to maximise the track time. I'm going to enjoy this, and then focus on the next one and then the next one for the rest of the season."

FORZA KIMI! pic.twitter.com/qnsBOvIrgh

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) September 6, 2026

Mercedes have now managed to put at least one of their two drivers on the podium in each of the first 13 races of 2026, with Russell taking the chequered flag in second. 

Russell had overtaken polesitter Pierre Gasly early on in the race and battled Antonelli for the lead on several occasions, only to come up short when it mattered most. 

The Briton was, however, gracious in defeat, acknowledging Antonelli's victory as "incredibly impressive" after he started at the back of the back. 

"Huge congrats to Kimi. On the face of it, starting where he did and finishing with the win is incredibly impressive," Russell said.

"When I saw he was P5 after the first couple of laps, I knew he was in the fight. In hindsight, it's easy to say I should have pitted rather than stayed out.

"I felt like I was holding my own at that point, but I think that's partly why the team wanted us to split strategies. I'm disappointed about missing out on the win but here we are."

But, more importantly, Antonelli was able to stretch his lead over Russell in the drivers' standings to 66 points, with Lewis Hamilton also in contention on 191 points. 

There are just 10 races between now and the end of the season, though Russell insists he is not thinking about a potential comeback to snatch the title from his team-mate. 

"We are where we are. He has driven incredibly this season. He deserves to lead the championship, and he has a healthy lead," Russell added. 

"I'm not even going to think about the fight or the comeback. I'm just going to every race trying to win it.

"I'm not putting any pressure on myself in this regard. I just need to try and win more races. He is in the best spot, and he deserves to be where he is."