Antonelli starts Italian GP from back of grid

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli will start Sunday's Italian Grand Prix at Monza from the back of the grid due to a power unit penalty, a decision team boss Toto Wolff stated was made for the long-term benefit of the championship campaign. Antonelli, who turned 20 last week, has secured a 59-point lead in the standings over teammate George Russell and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton after 12 races. Mercedes has opted to fit Antonelli with a new power unit for his home race, a move that incurs penalties under current regulations. While Wolff acknowledged the disappointment for Antonelli and the home crowd, he emphasized that the sport prioritizes championship goals over sentiment. The objective for Antonelli is now to recover as many positions as possible and maximize points. Monza's track characteristics, with long straights and ample overtaking opportunities, make it a logical choice for taking such a penalty, despite potential challenges with new engine regulations affecting power deployment and battery charging.