Ferrari unveils Schumacher-inspired livery as F1 leader prepares for Italian GP penalty

Ferrari will turn its home race at Monza into a tribute to Michael Schumacher, 30 years after the seven-time Formula 1 champion joined the team and 20 years after his final victory.

The one-off livery will feature seven stars on the nose of the Ferrari, representing Schumacher's seven drivers' championships. Lewis Hamilton, the sport's other seven-time champion, and Charles Leclerc will wear racing suits carrying the same stars and Schumacher's logo.

Schumacher won five of his seven titles with Ferrari between 2000 and 2004. His arrival helped restore the team to the top of Formula 1 after years without championships. Ferrari ended a 16-year wait for the constructors' title in 1999, while Schumacher won the drivers' championship in 2000, becoming Ferrari's first champion since Jody Scheckter in 1979.

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Our calculations say that that's the best track to take it.

The celebratory weekend will also bring a major setback for Kimi Antonelli. The 20-year-old Italian enters his home grand prix as the youngest driver to lead the F1 championship, holding a 59-point advantage over his two closest rivals. Mercedes has nevertheless confirmed that he will take an engine penalty and start the Italian Grand Prix from the back of the grid.

Mercedes said Antonelli's penalty follows several power-unit problems this season. He failed to finish in Barcelona, while teammate George Russell experienced issues in Canada and Belgium. Team principal Toto Wolff said the team's calculations favored taking the penalty at Monza. "Our calculations say that that's the best track to take it," Wolff said. "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." Monza's long straights could help Antonelli recover places with Mercedes' power unit.

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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.