Kimi Antonelli will face a grid penalty at the Italian Grand Prix in Formula 1, in Monza, due to a power unit change, but he does not see the decision as a big problem for his season. Even though it is his home race, the championship leader considers the Italian circuit the best place to serve the penalty.
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The choice puts the Mercedes driver at a disadvantage in front of the Italian crowd, but it was made mainly thinking about the characteristics of Monza. The circuit offers good overtaking opportunities, and according to Antonelli, it allows recovering positions and minimizing the impact of starting further back.
After finishing the Dutch GP in second, behind Lando Norris, Antonelli assessed that the penalty can still be managed positively: “I still think Monza is the best track to serve this. Of course, it’s my home race and all, but I think it’s the best race to do it. So, I think it will still give me the chance to get a great result and bring good points home,” he said.
This Italian’s confidence is also related to the championship situation. After gaining three more points over George Russell in Zandvoort, Antonelli reached a 59-point lead over his teammate and Lewis Hamilton, who are tied in points.
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Mercedes also considers Monza the most suitable place to take the penalty hit. According to the team principal, Toto Wolff, simulations and calculations carried out by Mercedes indicated that the circuit’s characteristics make the choice the most logical, regardless of Antonelli racing his home race there.
The team’s focus is on the championship and maximizing performance for the rest of the season. Although the lower grid position complicates Antonelli’s mission, Mercedes believes that Monza’s long straights, the need for maximum speed, and overtaking opportunities can facilitate a recovery. The introduction of a new power unit may also bring benefits for the stages following the Italian GP.
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