Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed Andrea Kimi Antonelli after the Mercedes‑AMG F1 driver stormed from 19th on the grid to win the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated Mercedes-AMG F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli for securing a first-place finish at the Italian Grand Prix, making history at Monza on Sunday.
Kimi produced one of the most remarkable performances after starting from the back of the grid in 19th to leave behind teammate George Russel (second) and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (third) to clinch the No. 1 spot.
The 20-year-old Italian became the first driver in 60 years to win a home Grand Prix. He is the first domestic driver to win the Italian GP since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966.
Meloni expresses pride in viral post
Following Kimi’s victory, PM Meloni took to social media and congratulated the Italian for making history by winning the home race in Monza. She hailed the 20-year-old’s extraordinary talent for securing a historic first-place finish at his home race in Monza.
“Sixty years later, an Italian returns to winning the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Congratulations to Kimi Antonelli, extraordinary young talent who signs a historic result,” the Italian PM tweeted.
More from SportsKimi wins, but Leclerc involved in huge crash
After Mercedes-AMG F1 finished 1-2 and Verstappen ended up third, the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Lewis Hamilton was the sole positive for Ferrari, finishing sixth and remaining in the points.
Charles Leclerc, however, did not have a good time after he slammed his Ferrari SF-26 off the track and into the barriers after losing control at the end of lap two. He went into the gravel, and his car slammed side-first into the tyre barriers.
The Monegasque driver looked dazed but luckily unhurt as he stepped out of the car.
Kimi, meanwhile, looked promising during the race as he quickly ascended to the top and also engaged in a tense position battle with his teammate. The 20-year-old eventually benefited from a tyre change and got a fresh set of mediums, while Russel was left outside on the hard tyres.
The Italian driver eventually overtook his teammate and race leader, easing his way towards a waving chequered flag to clinch a historic victory.