Antonelli Set for Italian GP Grid Penalty, Mercedes Confirms

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to receive a grid penalty at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, as confirmed by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. The team has decided to introduce a new power unit for the Italian driver at Monza.

Antonelli will exceed his seasonal engine component limit with this change, leading to an automatic penalty. The decision was unavoidable after two separate engine failures this season, including a retirement in Barcelona.

While the penalty could compromise his chances of winning at home, Mercedes deliberately chose Monza due to its overtaking opportunities. The team believes the impact on Antonelli's race will be minimized, though it is a blow for fans hoping to see an Italian triumph.

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The exact grid drop will depend on how many components are replaced, but an ICE change alone triggers a 10-place penalty.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the Dutch Grand Prix sprint, which George Russell won, Wolff said: "We need big points. Kimi is going to probably lose some in Monza starting in the back, so hopefully we can pocket some here."

Antonelli finished fourth in the Zandvoort sprint, and his championship lead over Russell narrowed from 59 to 56 points.

His father, Marco, also hinted at the penalty, telling Sky Sports F1: "Monza we will see. It will be difficult, for sure - for a lot of reasons."

Russell is also expected to face a similar penalty later this season. Mercedes is still evaluating whether his damaged engine from Hungary can be repaired, following a water leak caused by a crack during qualifying.

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