Kimi Antonelli etched his name into Formula 1 history books with victory at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza from 19th on the grid. The win also places him joint second in the all-time list of victories from the lowest starting positions.
The Kimi Antonelli driver had to take an engine grid penalty, meaning he started 19th in front of his home crowd. But he delivered a stellar drive, carving through the field. The highlight came when he overtook his Mercedes teammate George Russell in the closing laps to secure the win.
This achievement surpasses Max Verstappen's 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix victory from 17th, as well as feats by F1 legends Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. Hamilton's best is a win from 14th at the chaotic 2018 German GP, while Schumacher won from 16th at the 1995 Belgian GP for Benetton in similarly changeable conditions.
Wins from the Lowest Grid Positions
Here is the full list of F1 wins from the lowest grid positions in history, with Antonelli now sharing second place with John Watson, Kimi Raikkonen, and Max Verstappen (each from 17th).
Antonelli's Monza triumph proves that starting from the back is not the end of the story. With the right strategy and exceptional racecraft, he turned a slim chance into a glorious victory. It also signals a strong upward trajectory for Antonelli's F1 career.
The impact is felt in the championship standings, as Antonelli closed the points gap to his rivals. For Mercedes, this win shows their car is competitive and capable of fighting at the front, even when starting from a difficult position.
Read Also
F1 2026 schedule after Italian GP: Spanish GP in Madrid, 11-13 September. Antonelli arrives with title momentum after Monza win.
2026 F1 standings after Italian GP: Antonelli extends lead with Monza win. Russell and Mercedes dominate, Ferrari face disappointment.
Nico Rosberg says Ferrari cannot realistically prioritise Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc in 2026. Read the full analysis on Sportrik.
Continue with Google
Discussion (0)
Join the Discussion!
Sign in easily to start commenting, replying, and interacting with other readers.
Latest Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!