Whether you are an adopted fan of Formula 1 2026’s divisive yo-yo racing or not, you can’t argue the Italian Grand Prix was short of things to pay attention to. Champion-elect – there, we said it – Kimi Antonelli served up a comeback race for the ages with the approval of the Ferrari tifosi, while the Scuderia itself tripped at the first hurdle at its home race.
Winner: Kimi Antonelli
Sunday looked set to be a day of conflicting emotions for the tifosi. Coming out in droves, and setting a new attendance record in the process, fans flocked to the Temple of Speed to worship Ferrari only to be left disappointed by what their national team served up.
But any tears after Charles Leclerc‘s violent accident on lap 2 soon made way for sheer joy and pride when Antonelli delivered a comeback race for the ages, taking a first Italian win at the country’s home race since 1966.
After the finish the broadcasts showed a shot of scarlet-clad Ferrari fans holding up an Italian flag adorning Kimi’s name, suggesting many of the sold-out crowd were able to swiftly pivot from revering their national institution to celebrating their new national hero.
Antonelli’s masterclass yielded him the ultimate reward. Being greeted by a sea of fans on Monza’s home stretch as he took the top step of the most glorious podium in F1. Unlike the Michael Schumacher years, though, that famous 1-2 two punch of the German and Italian national anthems was played it reverse order.
With the Monza box ticked off, surely the world championship one is next?
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