Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali praised the maturity shown by Ferrari supporters after Kimi Antonelli’s historic victory at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, even though Mercedes teammate George Russell received boos when he collected his second-place trophy on the Monza podium.
It was an emotionally complicated afternoon for the Tifosi. Ferrari’s hopes of delivering a home victory disappeared after Charles Leclerc crashed at Parabolica and Lewis Hamilton finished only sixth, but the crowd still had an Italian success to celebrate as Antonelli charged from 19th on the grid to win ahead of Russell and Max Verstappen.
Stefano Domenicali praises Tifosi reaction to Kimi Antonelli
Antonelli’s victory carried major historical significance. The Mercedes driver became the first Italian to win at Monza since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966, while also extending his championship advantage over teammate George Russell to 66 points.
The scale of his achievement, coming from the back end of the grid, gave the home supporters a reason to celebrate despite Ferrari’s painful afternoon. Our analysis of Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable Monza victory looks at how his charge transformed an Italian Grand Prix that had started with expectations centred heavily on the Scuderia.
Speaking to Ted Kravitz for Sky Sports F1 after the race, Domenicali argued that Antonelli had fully deserved the victory and described the result as a special moment for both the crowd and the Italian Grand Prix. What particularly impressed the F1 chief was the willingness of Ferrari supporters to recognise the achievement of an Italian driver competing for Mercedes.
Domenicali viewed that response as evidence of maturity among the supporters. In his assessment, Formula 1 was showing that fans could passionately support different drivers and teams while still appreciating exceptional performances elsewhere on the grid.
George Russell receives boos on the Monza podium
The podium ceremony nevertheless produced a contrasting reaction. While Antonelli was warmly celebrated by the home crowd, Russell was booed as he lifted the trophy for finishing second.
It was not the first time a rival of Ferrari had received such treatment at Monza. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have experienced similar reactions from sections of the Italian Grand Prix crowd in previous appearances.
Domenicali did not specifically address the jeers aimed at Russell. Instead, his comments centred on the respect Ferrari supporters had shown towards Antonelli and what he believed that demonstrated about the wider Formula 1 audience.
The contrasting reactions underline the unusual position Antonelli now occupies. He is competing for Ferrari’s Mercedes rival while simultaneously emerging as one of Italy’s leading sporting figures, creating an emotional dynamic rarely seen at Monza.
Antonelli gives the Tifosi something to celebrate after Ferrari disappointment
Ferrari had entered its home race from the second row of the grid with the Tifosi hoping for a victory. Those ambitions quickly unravelled.
Charles Leclerc crashed heavily at Parabolica on lap three, ending his Grand Prix, while Hamilton could recover only to sixth place. The result left the Scuderia without the home success its supporters had wanted and continued a difficult Monza weekend for the Italian team.
Antonelli’s performance therefore changed the mood of the event. Although the winning car was a Mercedes rather than a Ferrari, the sight of an Italian driver taking victory at his home Grand Prix for the first time in 60 years provided the grandstands with a historic moment to celebrate.
The relationship between the young Mercedes driver and Ferrari supporters had already been one of the major talking points of the weekend. During the race, the crowd’s reaction when Antonelli overtook Hamilton in the remaining Ferrari illustrated just how deeply the traditional attachment to the Prancing Horse still runs.
Domenicali sees wider message in Monza crowd
For Domenicali, the importance of the moment extended beyond the identity of the winner. He suggested that Formula 1 was offering an example of how supporters could maintain strong allegiances while still recognising the achievements of competitors.
The former Ferrari team principal also connected that idea to a wider social context, arguing that such mutual respect represented a positive sign at a time when the world was experiencing considerable division and instability.
His assessment focused firmly on the enthusiastic reception given to Antonelli. The Italian’s victory demonstrated that national pride could coexist with Ferrari loyalty, even at a circuit where support for the Scuderia traditionally dominates the atmosphere.
Russell’s reception showed that those emotions remain complex. Antonelli may race for Mercedes, but his status as Italy’s newest Grand Prix winner clearly earned him a level of affection that did not automatically extend to his teammate.
After Ferrari’s disappointing home result, the championship leader left Monza as the central figure of the weekend. For the Tifosi, it was not the red victory they had hoped for, but Antonelli’s historic success still ensured that the 2026 Italian Grand Prix ended with an Italian driver at the centre of the celebrations.
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