Kimi Antonelli set for home race F1 grid penalty at Italian GP

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has confirmed that Andrea Kimi Antonelli will take an engine penalty at the Italian Grand Prix.

After the Dutch Grand Prix, the Italian driver leads the Drivers’ Championship with a 59-point lead over teammate George Russell. Both Mercedes drivers will exceed their allowed component limits in the second half of the season, forcing them to take grid penalties at some point in the next few races.

Antonelli, who turned 20 on 25th August, retired in Barcelona due to an electrical shutdown caused by a battery failure. Russell also suffered from a battery-issue related retirement two races earlier in Canada.

Bradley Lord, Mercedes Deputy Team Principal, told media last month that Antonelli would likely take his penalty at Monza, despite it being his home race.

“There could be one that can be very special for Kimi, but on paper looks like it’s a good place to take an engine penalty,” he said.

Toto Wolff then confirmed after the Dutch GP that Antonelli will have a full engine change in Italy.

He told media, including Motorsport Week: “With Kimi, we are taking the full thing. In theory, our calculations say that is the best track to take it.

“Obviously, algorithms don’t take the nationality into consideration, but we’re here to fight for a championship and not get the most PR, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

Wolff added that Mercedes are yet to decide where Russell will take his engine penalty: “With George, the discussions are ongoing even where to take it.”

Last time out in Monza, Russell finished fifth with Antonelli just making the top 10 to bring a total of 12 points back to Brackley.