F1 leader Antonelli wins Italian GP

MONZA, Sep 7: Kimi Antonelli took a big step to becoming the youngest champion in Formula 1 history with a fightback for the ages at his home grand prix on Sunday. Antonelli stormed to victory at the Italian Grand Prix, despite having started 19th on the grid. It took the Mercedes driver fewer than 17 laps to fight his way to the front. The rest of the race was spent tussling with teammate and title rival George Russell for the lead. Antonelli passed him for the final time with three laps remaining, going on to become the first Italian to win at Monza in 60 years. It was the second furthest back anyone has come from to win a grand prix. John Watson won at Long Beach in 1983 despite starting 22nd. Max Verstappen was a distant third behind the two Mercedes, just ahead of the McLaren duo of defending champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. It was Antonelli’s seventh win of the season — and his fledgling F1 career — and extended his lead in the overall standings to 66 points ahead of Russell. (AP)