Monza has never been merely another circuit for Ferrari, and it is where Charles Leclerc has twice transformed the grandstands into unforgettable celebrations.
This year, however, Monza broke Ferrari hearts.
Leclerc’s Italian Grand Prix lasted barely two laps. Lewis Hamilton’s hopes were compromised almost immediately and later suffered from the timing of a Virtual Safety Car. Ferrari collected only eight points, while an Italian driving for Mercedes produced one of Monza’s most extraordinary victories.
Leclerc’s Homecoming Ends Early
Starting third, Leclerc carried Ferrari’s greatest hopes after Pierre Gasly’s surprise pole position for Alpine.
But the trouble began immediately. Leclerc and Hamilton went wheel-to-wheel through the opening corners, after which Hamilton ran into the gravel and dropped to ninth. The seven-time World Champion complained over the radio that his teammate had pushed him off.
A lap later, Ferrari’s afternoon became considerably worse. Under pressure from Oscar Piastri approaching the Parabolica, Leclerc lost control of his SF-26 and crashed heavily into the barriers, bringing out the red flag.
Thankfully, the Monegasque walked away and was cleared after medical checks. Yet the sight of his damaged Ferrari being removed from the circuit ended hopes of another famous Monza performance.
The contrast with Leclerc’s greatest Italian afternoons was cruel. In 2019, he resisted relentless pressure from Mercedes to give Ferrari its first Monza victory in nine years. In 2024, he made a daring one-stop strategy work to defeat both McLarens and secure Ferrari’s record-extending 20th World Championship victory at the circuit.
One accident cannot erase those triumphs, but it made this latest homecoming especially painful.
Hamilton Denied By Circumstance
Hamilton was left to carry Ferrari’s challenge alone. He recovered from ninth, but the SF-26 could not match the formidable efficiency of the Mercedes-powered cars on Monza’s long straights.
The decisive strategic setback came when Lance Stroll’s retirement triggered a Virtual Safety Car. Several rivals gained a relatively inexpensive pit stop, while Hamilton was unable to benefit in the same way.
He eventually finished sixth, describing the result as a bit devastating and a tough one to swallow.
Nevertheless, Hamilton remains third in the Drivers’ Championship with 191 points—only ten behind George Russell. Leclerc stays fifth with 155 points after a particularly costly retirement at Monza.
Antonelli Makes Italian History
If the Tifosi could not celebrate Ferrari, Monza still produced an unforgettable Italian winner.
Kimi Antonelli started 19th after an engine penalty but had already climbed to 12th when Leclerc’s accident stopped the race. What followed after the restart remained a remarkable exhibition of speed and overtaking.
The 20-year-old carved through the field, passing Hamilton and both McLarens before joining the battle at the front. The Virtual Safety Car then allowed him to stop for fresher tyres and begin another charge from sixth.
George Russell defended fiercely, and Antonelli briefly ran through the gravel during one attack. But the Italian recovered and completed the decisive pass with three laps remaining.
Antonelli crossed the line 3.857 seconds ahead of Russell, with Max Verstappen third. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri followed, ahead of Hamilton.
It was Antonelli’s seventh victory of the season and the first home win by an Italian driver at the Italian Grand Prix since Ludovico Scarfiotti triumphed for Ferrari in 1966. Starting 19th also made it the second-lowest starting position from which a Formula 1 Grand Prix has ever been won.
The Title Race Takes Shape
Antonelli now leads the Drivers’ Championship with 267 points, 66 ahead of Russell. Hamilton remains third on 191, followed by Norris on 171 and Leclerc on 155.
Mercedes’ Monza one-two also extended its Constructors’ Championship lead. The team has 468 points, 122 ahead of Ferrari on 346. Ferrari must now look behind as well as ahead, with McLaren only 59 points further back.
Monza did not deliver the red celebration its supporters had imagined. Leclerc walked away from a frightening accident, Hamilton salvaged points from a compromised race and Ferrari’s championship challenge suffered another blow.
But the circuit still produced history: an Italian driver who began almost last, passed nearly everyone and took a giant step towards becoming World Champion.
