Kimi Antonelli heads into this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix with a 59-point lead in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship and a very different outlook from his difficult home-race debut at Monza in 2025.
Antonelli endured a troubled weekend last year. The Mercedes driver received a five-second penalty after colliding with Williams driver Alex Albon and was shown a black-and-white flag for exceeding track limits. He ultimately scored two points with a ninth-place finish.
Now 20, Antonelli returns to Monza as the championship leader and a six-time grand prix winner this season. Speaking to F1.com before his home race, the Italian said he would approach the weekend with a “different attitude”.
“I’m very excited. I think it’s going to be a great atmosphere and it’s going to be a lot different compared to last year,” he said. “I’m definitely going in with a different attitude, different mindset, and definitely I feel like I’m going to be able to enjoy the weekend a lot more. I’m really looking forward to be back.”
Antonelli set for minimum 10-place grid penalty at Monza
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff confirmed during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend that Antonelli would take a grid penalty at his home race because of a planned power unit change.
The final penalty has not yet been confirmed. Its severity will depend on how many new power unit components Mercedes installs in Antonelli’s car, but it will be at least 10 places.
“With Kimi, we’re taking the full thing. Our calculations say that that’s the best track to take it,” Wolff explained.
“Obviously, algorithms don’t take their nationality into consideration. We’re here to fight for a championship and not get the most PR. So yeah, that’s what we’re going to do.”
The Italian Grand Prix will be held at Monza from 4-6 September.
