Antonelli plans all-out recovery at Monza after penalty forces him to start last: “I have nothing to lose”

Andrea Kimi Antonelli will start his home race at Monza from the last position, but the Italian Formula One championship leader says the penalty gives him freedom to attack.

Mercedes incurred the sanction after fitting new power-unit components. Following reliability problems earlier in the year, Antonelli will use his fifth power unit of the season, triggering the grid penalty.

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I have nothing to lose.

“Since I start last, I will attack with everything. Obviously, I will still use my head. I will not reach the first braking zone on Sunday and brake as if it were qualifying. I have nothing to lose,” Antonelli said. He added that his goal was to recover as many points as possible while gaining positions wherever he could.

He acknowledged that receiving a penalty at his home Grand Prix was not ideal, especially at such an important circuit. But Mercedes chose to make the change with the championship in mind, hoping to reduce the risk of future problems. Antonelli said the situation could allow him to drive with less pressure.

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Since I start last, I will attack with everything. Obviously, I will still use my head.

The penalty also lets him focus solely on car setup during the weekend. He said Mercedes would work differently from usual and believed a top-five finish was within reach, although the race would determine what was possible.

Mercedes has also decided that George Russell will serve a power-unit penalty during the 2026 season. The team has not chosen the race. Deputy team director Bradley Lord said both drivers had suffered engine failures, and Mercedes was assessing circuits where Russell could recover positions after starting at the back. Options under consideration include Azerbaijan and Malaysia.

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We have not fully decided where George will serve his, but it is there for both of them because both have suffered engine failures.