Antonelli turned a 19th‑grid start into a stunning Monza win—could it really eclipse his pole‑to‑victory showcase in Austin?
A power‑unit swap forced the Mercedes ace to the back row at Monza, yet the swift Italian sliced through the pack to claim victory.
That triumph marked his seventh win of a commanding 2026 run, with an eighth arriving in Madrid before a ninth followed at Austin in October.
Sunday’s pole start let him dictate a one‑stop plan, while rivals ran two stops; he finished 13 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc.
For my money, the Austin execution was the season’s finest display. “Monza, we clearly had the fastest car,” Antonelli replied.
The circuit’s easy overtaking helped our blistering pace. Monza will stay etched in my memory forever.
Yet this race felt smoother in execution, thanks to how we built performance all weekend.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell of Mercedes at Monza.
He now leads Russell by 123 points, needing just two more in Mexico to seal his first championship.
He could clinch with four rounds left, capping a thrilling sophomore campaign that began with his teammate as the pre‑season favourite.
“It’s been a pleasant surprise this season,” Antonelli noted. “There are still races where I aim to fight for wins.”
“Finishing on a high would be nice, but the season still offers areas to improve, especially mindset and scenario handling.”
“At season’s end I’ll review what worked and what could’ve been better.”
“Overall it’s been a consistent year, and we’ll strive to keep that momentum through the finale.”
The leap from his rookie year to this season was massive, and his Austin performance clearly showcased that growth.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Facing his first title‑clinching chance, he stayed calm and treated the Mexican race like any other, setting up a strong chance.
“I’m lucky to have a solid crew around me,” he said. “My dad is always there, plus my performance coach.”
“My team helps me stay relaxed and ignore the pressure.”
“They filter out the noise, letting me enjoy the weekend and perform.”
“There’s been a lot of talk, especially Thursday about the championship, but I tried not to worry and just deliver my best.”
“Today’s result mattered hugely for me and the team.”
Will Antonelli clinch the title in Mexico?
What would you like to see on?
Take our 5 minute survey.
– The Team