2026 Italian Grand Prix: Recap
Drivers raced at “The Temple of Speed” at the Italian Grand Prix this past weekend. Spirits were high as Pierre Gasly (Alpine) started from pole position for the first time. It was also the Ferrari team’s home race, as well as the home race for Italian driver Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes). Despite this, he started from P19 after receiving a penalty for installing a new power unit. Isack Hadjar was still out of the race due to his injury, so Liam Lawson raced again for Red Bull, while Yuki Tsunoda raced for Racing Bulls.
The starting grid consisted of Gasly in P1, George Russell (Mercedes) in P2, and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) in P3. Notably, Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) was starting P4, Tsunoda in P15, and Lawson from the pit lane.
Lap 1 began, and Gasly managed to hold off Russell. The Ferrari teammates made contact going into a turn, which resulted in Leclerc pushing Hamilton into the gravel. Hamilton lost multiple positions: “Charles pushed me off!” On lap 2, Russell took the lead, and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) made his way into P3. Suddenly, Leclerc’s car veered into the gravel and flipped into the barrier. It was an unexpected and scary crash, but he got out of the car unharmed. A red flag was called, and the session was stopped for around thirty minutes.
At the race restart, Russell took P1 and Gasly P2. For a second, Franco Colapinto (Alpine) got into P3, but with a massive oversteer he went into the gravel, and Verstappen took his place. By lap 7, Antonelli, with impressive driving, had made his way up to P6!
Verstappen and Russell entered a battle for the lead, which slowed down their overall pace. On lap 13, Antonelli was in P3 and by lap 18 he took the lead. Russell passed him again, and they entered a “yo-yo” battle. Mercedes warned them to stop to keep Verstappen behind.
A Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was called for Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) due to a hydraulic issue. In a split second, teams had to decide whether pitting was worth it. Antonelli and Verstappen both went in while Russell stayed out. Even though Russell was on older tires, the commentators said that wasn’t affecting his pace; Antonelli was just fast. The two entered a battle on lap 49, and Antonelli went into the gravel. “Keep it clean, no risks here,” the team told both of them. Antonelli passed him on lap 50.
The checkered flag approached, and Antonelli won the Italian Grand Prix, elongating his lead: “Yeah, yessss. Oh my god!” He became the first Italian winner since 1966. Russell followed close behind in P2, Verstappen in P3, and both of the McLarens were just behind. Hamilton finished in P6. Lawson placed P14 and Tsunoda ended out the points in P10.
In the post-race interview, Antonelli said it was “a day we will remember forever, the most special win so far.” Russell commented that it was a great drive but impossible to know if staying out during the VSC was the right call. Verstappen noted that he tried to battle but was too slow on the straights.
Visibly frustrated after the race outcome, Hamilton commented that it was “a bit devastating” and a “tough one to swallow.” Gasly said, “We gotta be happy, we experienced something magical yesterday.” Leclerc noted after the incident, “It’s never what you want between two cars on the same team.”
Antonelli made an incredible comeback this race. Intense battles between drivers and especially teammates occurred, and the pressure is definitely building as drivers fight to secure as many points as possible. Next up, the new circuit in Madrid is making its debut and records are sure to be set. Tune into the next race, the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, Sunday, September 13 with East Bay F1! More details are available here.
