Kimi Antonelli will start from the back at Monza after Mercedes elected to take an engine penalty, but history says the Italian rookie still has a shot at salvaging his home race. Formula1.com compiled ten recovery drives that prove grid position isn't destiny. Max Verstappen's 2024 Brazil masterclass leads the list—P17 to victory in monsoon conditions, overtaking Ocon for the lead mid-race and winning by nearly twenty seconds. Lewis Hamilton pulled pit lane to podium at Hungary 2014 after a pre-qualifying fire, spinning on the opening lap in the wet before climbing to third. Sebastian Vettel did the same at Abu Dhabi 2012, disqualified from P3 for a fuel sample violation, then charging twice through the field after damage to salvage third and protect his championship lead. Mark Webber went P18 to podium at China 2011 despite KERS gremlins. Whether Antonelli can match those drives depends on whether Mercedes gave him the tools—or just the penalty.
Read the full story at formula1.com10 OF THE BEST RECOVERY DRIVES AFTER STARTING AT THE BACK
Kimi Antonelli will start from the back at Monza after Mercedes elected to take an engine penalty, but history says the Italian rookie still has a shot at salvaging his home race. Formula1.com compiled ten recovery drives that prove grid position isn't destiny. Max Verstappen's 2024 Brazil masterclass leads the list—P17 to victory in monsoon conditions, overtaking Ocon for the lead mid-race and winning by nearly twenty seconds. Lewis Hamilton pulled pit lane to podium at Hungary 2014 after a pre-qualifying fire, spinning on the opening lap in the wet before climbing to third. Sebastian Vettel did the same at Abu Dhabi 2012, disqualified from P3 for a fuel sample violation, then charging twice through the field after damage to salvage third and protect his championship lead. Mark Webber went P18 to podium at China 2011 despite KERS gremlins. Whether Antonelli can match those drives depends on whether Mercedes gave him the tools—or just the penalty.
