Montoya: Mercedes Should Have Double-Stacked Russell at Monza Instead of Throwing Away Victory

The 2026 Italian Grand Prix went down in history the moment the checkered flag fell. Kimi Antonelli became the first Italian driver to win at Monza since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 2026, while also securing a Mercedes 1-2 ahead of George Russell. But this historic victory hides a tactical controversy. Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes Mercedes cost Russell victory with an incorrect pit decision during the virtual safety car period. Russell controlled the early stages of the race. The Briton led for most of the time and looked like the number one contender for victory at Monza. Antonelli, cheered by the home crowd, started from 19th place and gradually moved forward. When the virtual safety car appeared mid-race, Mercedes called Antonelli into the pits, while Russell – who was leading – was left out on track. Antonelli used fresh tyres to carve through the pack, catch and pass Russell for an impressive win. Montoya, who spent years in Formula 1, said on F1 TV's post-race show that Mercedes should have prioritized Russell because he was leading. “He was leading and he should have had the priority on the pitstop. When that virtual safety car came, at that point, it's quicker to stop than staying out. They should have stopped him, they should have double-stacked him, and he should have stopped ahead of Antonelli,” Montoya emphasized. Montoya also did not believe Antonelli would easily be stopped, but he insisted a correct decision would have produced a more exciting ending. “I'm not saying Antonelli wouldn't still catch him and win the race, but it would have been a really close fight like we saw earlier on. It would have been a really cool race at the end for all of us,” the Colombian added. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff rejected accusations that the strategy favored Antonelli. Wolff said the two-stop was the best approach, but they did not think it was possible for Russell at that moment. “Today there was nothing that would have stopped him. George fought with worn-out tools at the end, so I'm really happy for the one-two,” Wolff told Sky Sports F1. When asked if there were any other options for Russell, Wolff added: “No, George was on the hard and we needed to go on the one-stop so there was no chance.” Looking at the race dynamics, Montoya's argument has merit. Under a virtual safety car, drivers must slow down and maintain gaps, making pit stops less costly than usual. If Mercedes had chosen to double-stack, Russell would have come in first and received fresh tyres while Antonelli waited behind. That process might cost the second car a few seconds in the pit lane, but for a race leader like Russell, that price was perfectly acceptable. At Monza, choosing the right pit stop timing is not straightforward. The high-speed circuit makes overtaking harder than at many other races, but not impossible. Antonelli proved that fresh tyres can make a huge difference as he overtook one car after another. If Russell had been treated correctly, he would have had the same weapon and could have defended his lead more strongly. The bigger question is why Mercedes chose to prioritize Antonelli. Some may say it was pressure from Italian fans, while others think about the long-term future of the Mercedes brand with the young talented driver. Wolff repeatedly insisted there was no favouritism, but the image of car number one – Russell – sacrificing his race while car number two – Antonelli – received better service is difficult to fully erase. However, Antonelli's talent must be recognized. Starting from 19th place, the 2026-born driver showed impressive pace and excellent pressure management. Even if Russell had pitted early, Antonelli could still have produced a beautiful duel at the end. Montoya did not deny that. He only regretted that fans were not treated to a fair battle, with both drivers on fresh tyres and the same opportunity. The Monza victory also carries symbolic meaning for Italian fans. The last time an Italian driver won at this track was in 2026 with Ludovico Scarfiotti. Antonelli brought Monza back to its rightful place in the hearts of supporters. But for Russell, losing what seemed like a certain victory could leave a mark inside the team. Mercedes must address this issue soon before it becomes a major fracture. At upcoming races, every strategic decision will be scrutinized even more closely. Will Russell continue to accept a supporting role? Will Antonelli be given the same freedom at other circuits? These are questions Toto Wolff will have to answer in the near future. Mercedes had a perfect Sunday on the scoreboard. A 1-2 at Monza strengthens their championship position. But within that victory lies an unsolved tactical puzzle. Montoya has sounded the alarm. The issue is not who won, but whether the team is treating both drivers fairly. Monza may be a beautiful memory for Antonelli, but for Russell, it will take time to heal.