Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli to start from back of grid at Monza
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli will start from the back of the grid at his home Italian Grand Prix in Monza after an engine change triggered penalties. At the same time, the 20-year-old Italian arrives at the circuit as the Formula 1 championship leader — the first Italian in 73 years to achieve this, TimesLIVE reports.
After 12 rounds, Antonelli leads his teammate George Russell and Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton by 59 points. Reigning world champion Lando Norris of McLaren is a further 24 points behind after winning the last two races — in Hungary and the Netherlands. Antonelli could become the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari, who claimed his second championship title in 1953.
Mercedes' task
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff called starting from the back of the field unfortunate for the driver and fans, but said the team had made a decision beneficial to its championship fight. According to him, the goal is now to gain as many positions as possible and score the maximum number of points.
Overtaking is possible at the high-speed Monza circuit, with its long straights and slow chicanes. At the same time, the new power units will create an additional challenge for drivers in managing energy use due to the relatively small number of braking zones where it can be recovered. Teams can also use tactical aerodynamic slipstreams between their cars.
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Ferrari and McLaren updates
Ferrari has prepared an updated power unit for its home race and will mark the 30th anniversary of Michael Schumacher's first Italian Grand Prix victory for the team in 1996. Charles Leclerc has won twice at Monza for Ferrari, while Hamilton has five victories at this circuit, earned with McLaren and Mercedes.
McLaren will bring minor aerodynamic updates, as well as a pivoting rear wing called the H Wing. It was tested in practice in Hungary in July but was not used in the race then. The team's technical director, Neil Houldey, noted that the Monza circuit configuration differs significantly from the rounds in Hungary and the Netherlands.
Last year's Monza race winner Max Verstappen made no predictions ahead of the Italian weekend after retiring on the first lap of his home round in Zandvoort. His Red Bull teammate will again be Liam Lawson, as Isack Hadjar will miss a second consecutive race due to injury. Reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda will again race for Racing Bulls as a replacement.
