Antonelli faces back-of-grid penalty at Monza as Ferrari targets home win

Antonelli faces grid penalty at home circuit

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli will enter his home Italian Grand Prix at Monza holding a 59-point lead in the Formula One world championship after 12 rounds. Antonelli, who turned 20 last week, arrives as the first Italian driver in 73 years to lead the standings into Monza since Alberto Ascari in 1953. Mercedes confirmed that Antonelli will start at the back of the grid after taking a new power unit and associated grid penalties. Team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the competitive setback for local supporters while defending the long-term championship strategy.

When you make decisions that benefit the championship campaign, sometimes you pay a short-term price. The objective now is straightforward: recover as many places as possible and maximise the points.

Monza's layout features high-speed straights and slow chicanes, creating power deployment challenges under new engine rules due to limited braking zones for electrical energy recovery. Drivers will also look to use tactical aerodynamic tows along the long straights to gain speed against competitors.

Ferrari prepares updated engine and celebrations

Scuderia Ferrari will field an updated power unit at Monza as the team commemorates the 30th anniversary of Michael Schumacher's 1996 victory. On 2 September, drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc appeared before thousands of supporters in Milan at Piazza Duomo and Palazzo Reale for a promotional event. Hamilton trails Antonelli by 59 points alongside Mercedes driver George Russell, while McLaren driver Lando Norris sits a further 24 points behind after winning consecutive races in Hungary and the Netherlands. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur stated that the home crowd and the Schumacher anniversary will provide added motivation for the race weekend.

Racing in front of our tifosi gives the whole team incredible energy and this year there will be an additional dimension as we celebrate Michael Schumacher and the legacy he has left in our company.

Technical adjustments and driver preparations

Hamilton enters his second Monza appearance for Ferrari having taken a race win in Barcelona earlier in the season. Over the past 18 months, Hamilton requested systematic changes to Ferrari's car dynamics, encompassing the brakes, suspension components, seating position, setup elements, and steering configuration. Leclerc adopted the same developmental direction, aligning the squad's technical feedback. Hamilton previously won the Italian Grand Prix five times with McLaren and Mercedes, while Leclerc took two victories for Ferrari at the circuit.

Last year we didn't have the car to fight at Monza, this year we do.

Rival upgrades and weekend schedule

McLaren will introduce minor aerodynamic updates at Monza alongside a rotating rear wing, known as the H Wing, which the team tested in practice at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July. Antonelli will use his fresher engine components to attempt overtakes from the rear of the grid throughout Sunday's race. Leclerc noted the enduring legacy of Schumacher while committing to fight for victory in front of the Italian supporters. The Italian Grand Prix weekend will continue with official track sessions ahead of Sunday's race.