Kimi Antonelli is optimistic about the Formula 1 Italian GP, pointing out that he has nothing to lose starting from the back of the pack due to the penalty for engine change.
Read more F1 releases teaser about the 2027 season launch: «Something special is coming»
Due to some reliability issues at the beginning of the year, Mercedes decided to put the fifth power unit in the Italian’s car, who will have to start the home race from the back of the grid.
However, he reached the top of the standings, easing the pressure for Monza. “Obviously, I will keep using my head. It’s not like I’m going to reach the first braking zone on Sunday and brake as if it were qualifying; otherwise, I would cause an accident. I don’t want to jinx myself, but I have nothing to lose. The goal is to recover as many points as possible using my head, but the mindset will be to attack as much as possible and try to gain as many positions as I can,” he said.
“It’s not ideal to receive a penalty at your home Grand Prix, especially such a big one. But, in the end, as a team, we are focused on the championship, and this is definitely one of the best tracks to do that. So, it’s better to change everything now and, who knows, avoid problems in the future. I think this will allow me to enjoy it even more, drive with less pressure, and I think that’s a positive thing,” he continued.
Read more F1: Hamilton will have priority in Ferrari’s qualifying in Monza
“We will work a little differently than usual this weekend, focusing only on the setup for the race, and then we’ll see. I think staying in the top five might be within our reach, but obviously we will have to see how the race unfolds.”
As Antonelli already knows he will have to start from the back of the pack in Italy F1, it is expected that he will help his teammate George Russell in qualifying. “It could happen. It’s a conversation we will also have internally to be ready if this situation arises. But it’s not guaranteed. Obviously, I will talk about it with the team and then we’ll see how things happen. But I really think it could happen,” he concluded.
Read more Porsche Cup: Check out the complete schedule for the double round at Interlagos
