(Motorsport-Total.com) – Kimi Antonelli has to accept a grid penalty at the Formula 1 race in Italy because he will use his fifth power unit of the season. However, the championship leader could benefit from an engine that uses the adjustments granted to the manufacturer under the ADUO system.
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Monza thus threatens to become a very important turning point in the championship, which could set the direction for the further course of the world championship. Because Ferrari could also debut its new engine with the second ADUO upgrade stage at the race in Italy.
There is talk of a unit that could deliver around 15 hp more with the new Shell fuel and thus be able to significantly reduce the gap to the Silver Arrows’ power unit – after seven hp were already released in Austria.
The Scuderia is therefore playing its trump card after already bringing an aerodynamic update for the floor, bargeboards, and diffuser in Zandvoort to compete for the world championship title again.
But there is one aspect that has been underestimated so far. Wolff has officially confirmed that Kimi Antonelli will receive a penalty in Monza and be moved back 20 places compared to his qualifying position. However, no one has yet highlighted that the fifth engine, which will be activated at the home race, is likely to have the modifications that the FIA has granted Mercedes.
And George Russell should also receive these.
Since the governing body classified the Red Bull-Ford DM01 as the most powerful combustion engine, Toto Wolff succeeded in pushing through an ADUO update for the unit managed by Hywel Thomas in Brixworth as well.
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Originally, the team principal had stated that he did not want to rely on engine development this year. However, if you believe the rumors from Great Britain, engine number 5, which was not only revised in the control of the large turbo (inclination and number of blades), could represent Mercedes’ big answer to Ferrari for Monza.
If the six-cylinder M17 E Performance proves to be an objective step forward thanks to the new Petronas fuel (the power increase does not come with increased consumption), it could become the decisive tool to restore the hierarchy.
The Silver Arrows would thus be able to contain McLaren’s strong comeback as well as the development of the SF-26. Especially since the ADUO engine could then also be delivered to customer teams, from which McLaren itself would also benefit.
The Italian GP is therefore likely to provide extremely important insights into the further course of the two world championships while waiting for James Allison and Simone Resta to launch the big aero update planned for October 4 in Malaysia for the W17.
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