(Motorsport-Total.com) – World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli will go into the Formula 1 race in Monza with a big handicap. Because at the Italian’s home race, Mercedes will take an engine penalty for the youngster, which will push him back in the starting grid.
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The Silver Arrows had already considered before the summer break where to best take a likely engine penalty in the second half of the season, and now they have decided on Monza, as Antonelli confirmed during the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.
“The penalty for the new engine will be imposed in Monza. We agreed on this because it is one of the tracks where overtaking is easier,” says Antonelli.
“I know it is my home race, but ultimately I think more about the championship. I have to weigh where I have the best chances to make up positions and achieve a good result. Monza is definitely at the top of that list.”
Monza is a popular choice for many teams to take engine penalties because overtaking is significantly easier there than, for example, this weekend in Zandvoort, where starting from the back would almost inevitably lead to a poor result.
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Mercedes sees the need for an engine change because, according to the current status, Antonelli would not make it through the season with the allowed quota. The Italian has already reached the limit of allowed parts for engine, battery, control unit, and exhaust set and would receive a penalty at the next change.
It is similar for teammate George Russell, who still has a bit more buffer but also cannot afford any more on battery and control unit (for an overview of engine parts 2026).
“Looking at how many we used in the first half of the season, it is almost inevitable that penalties will be due at some point,” said deputy team principal Bradley Lord before the summer break.
Mercedes has already struggled with technical problems several times this season and only brought both cars into the points in two of the last seven races. Above all, the engine problems with Russell in Canada and Antonelli in Barcelona were bitter for the team as they cost important points from promising positions.
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