Kimi Antonelli opens up on victory-chance belief after stunning recovery

Kimi Antonelli has opened up on whether he believed victory was possible in the Italian Grand Prix after his stunning recovery to win from 19th on home soil.

The championship leader started from the penultimate row of the grid following a power unit change, with the components having been outside of his legal pool.

Going into the race, the Italian had hopes of a podium, although his eyes quickly turned to a potential race win after climbing to 12th before a red flag on the third lap.

From the race restart, Antonelli made rapid progress towards the front, where he exchanged positions with George Russell on several occasions.

Antonelli ultimately dropped to sixth after pitting during a short Virtual Safety Car period, but, on fresher tyres, he breezed to the front to claim a famous win.

Asked what he thought was possible on the grid, Antonelli said: "I thought a podium was possible, but then obviously with the red flag I was already P12, and then I knew that I could have had a shot to it. 

"But, of course, you know, then I found myself at the front and battling, but it was very difficult to break away, basically impossible. So I knew it would have been difficult. 

"Then with the VSC we pitted and then we had to close the gap and, yeah, then in the end to bring it home, very happy with that."

Monza boasts arguably the most incredible podium celebrations of the season, which were further heightened by the fact that Antonelli was the first Italian winner of the Italian GP since 1966.

It was an emotional occasion for the youngster, who now leads the drivers' championship by 66 points over Russell.

Discussing the reaction from the fans while on the podium, Antonelli added: Yeah, I think this is the most special podium of the season.

"To see all the fans on the straight, it’s just incredible. And then, of course, you know, being at home, it adds that little bit of extra. And, yeah, super, super happy with that."