2026 Italian Grand Prix: Antonelli Dominates Monza and Extends Title Lead

The 2026 Italian Grand Prix has left images for the history books. This week there was a race and it’s time to talk about what happened: this time it was Monza, one of the most historic circuits on the calendar, and this year in particular we saw something that will make history: an Italian driver winning at home, something that hadn’t happened in 6 decades.

Antonelli will be world champion this year

This time, after watching the race, I find it very, very hard to imagine how Antonelli can fail to win this championship. On Sunday he ate Russell alive, and Russell is who I consider his biggest title rival. Hamilton is very good, but the Ferrari isn’t there. And the McLarens lack consistency; to close the gap and catch him, you’d have to win everything that’s left. Or maybe not even then.

Sounds like you’re pretty sure about this, Goguma.

Well, it’s more than a 60-point lead, so it won’t be easy. As long as he keeps scoring, even behind his rivals, he has a huge cushion. I see it as very complicated.

Okay, how was the weekend?

It was historic. Antonelli produced the greatest comeback in the circuit’s history at Monza; remember he started 19th after changing power unit parts, which triggered the grid penalty. It’s also true that he benefited from this new Formula 1, with overtaking much easier than before. This new Formula 1 has become a sport of management.

Goguma, managing has always been important in this championship.

Yes, and at the same time, no. There shouldn’t be such speed differences just because the car in front has run low on battery; that’s a pass by default, not a real overtake. It feels like watching Mario Kart.

Okay, Goguma, we already know you’re the grandpa who likes the old ways. How was the race?

Setting that aside, the race started with a bit of controversy when, at the start, Leclerc pushed his teammate Hamilton off track. In my opinion, even though the rules allow it and even encourage it, it shouldn’t be that way. I’m one of those who believe you should always leave the space for the other car. As Alonso would say: “You should always leave the space.”

But the party had only just begun. A few laps later, Leclerc suffered a massive impact at the Parabolica, under pressure from one of the McLarens. The driver was left a bit groggy, with some vision problems in his right eye, but he’s fine. He’ll be able to race the Spanish Grand Prix at Madring without any issue. But of course, after such an impact, the barriers were destroyed and the red flag came out.

A red flag? What is it and how did it affect the race?

A red flag means the race is stopped. At that point the cars pull in and, in the meantime, teams can change tyres, which most of them did. After waiting more than half an hour, the race resumed with a new standing start.

The race continued without much drama, with plenty of overtaking and a battle up front between Verstappen and Russell. Antonelli used both starts to gain positions, and by the time of the red flag he had already made his way into the top 10. Shortly after, he caught the group ahead, fighting for the podium and the win. Antonelli caught up to Russell and they began swapping positions, until the pit wall told them to ease off a bit. Antonelli didn’t like that and complained over the radio.

Meanwhile, as usual, Alonso’s Aston Martin had had enough and had to retire. Besides not being competitive (they’re estimated to lose between 1 and 3 seconds on the straights because of the Honda engine), on top of that they’re not reliable either (long live Honda and long live Japan). But there was still more to come.

Lance Stroll retired and triggered a Virtual Safety Car

And here came the moment that would decide the race. Under the Virtual Safety Car, Antonelli and Verstappen, running second and third, pitted. Russell stayed out. I’m not sure it was the right call, but from that moment on Antonelli flew, catching up to the British driver and passing him almost without trouble. Almost, because on one of the attempts he ran wide into the gravel at the first chicane and nearly lost the race and the points. Something strange happened there: apparently the asphalt at that point was breaking apart.

Fortunately nothing happened, and he was able to continue, win the race, and extend his championship lead. An incredible fiesta at Monza thanks to Antonelli, and despite the relatively poor performance from the Ferraris, the Italian lands another blow in the championship. More than the points, it’s been a psychological blow; it seems unbelievable that, being so young, he shows this level of consistency. He’s going to win this championship.

What about the Spaniards? Carlos Sainz and Alonso?

Bad weekend for both. What’s happening at Aston Martin is a disgrace, even if it was expected. And Williams isn’t in its best moment either, finishing 13th. In Baku, they say Williams will get a new, lighter chassis, so until then, nothing to do but wait. Patience is all that’s left for fans of both drivers.

Did anything else happen? Anything else worth mentioning?

Another surprise was Alpine: Gasly took pole on Saturday, and I still don’t know how he did it (and I didn’t get to watch it live). Colapinto also did well, but made a rookie mistake during the race: he ran into the gravel at the Lesmo corners, damaging the car, though he was able to continue. But great weekend for Alpine at Monza; the change seems to have worked out very well for them.

Verstappen also had a good race, finishing third and getting the maximum out of that car, and the McLarens finished where they were expected to: fourth for Norris and fifth for Piastri.

All in all, a much more entertaining race than I expected. This weekend, a new appointment at the new parking lot — sorry, circuit — at Madring.

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Final classification of the 2026 Italian Grand Prix

*Sergio Pérez received a five-second penalty for not following the race director’s instructions; it did not affect his final position.

Drivers’ championship standings

Constructors’ championship standings

Image credit: Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Italy. Photo: Ank Kumar, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.