Charles Leclerc has walked away from a serious crash at the Italian GP after he slammed into the barriers in a scary incident.
The shocking incident came in the second lap but the drama continued after the restart as Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli fought back from 19th on the grid to win.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy driving the Mercedes AMG Petronas to victory. Getty Images
It took the Italian driver fewer than 17 laps to fight his way to the front at Monza on Sunday afternoon (early Monday AEST).
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.
“Oh my god … it feels like a dream,” Antonelli said.
That at least gave the crowd something to cheer about after Ferrari’s Leclerc crashed out of the scuderia’s home race at the tail end of the parabolica.
He slid violently slid off the track on the second lap, sparking a red flag.
Leclerc was in sound physical condition as he left the car but looked shocked. He was in fourth at the time of the crash.
Charles Leclerc crashed out of the Monza GP Getty Images
A powerful image showed Leclerc on the ground being consoled by an official and there were tears in the grandstand.
The race was stopped for a little more than 30 minutes with Russell first.
Reports from Monza said Leclerc had been taken to the medical centre and given the all-clear.
Max Verstappen rounded out the podium and Australia’s Oscar Piastri finished fifth, one behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris.
In the other Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton finished sixth.
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.
– Reported with Associated Press