Antonelli approaches Monza as leader, with a recovery race ahead

Kimi Antonelli describes a calmer approach to his home Grand Prix than in 2025. In his F1 interview, reported again on Monday, he says he wants to enjoy the weekend more. He arrives with six wins this season and 242 points, 59 more than Russell and Hamilton, who each have 183.

That confidence does not remove the mechanical constraint. Mercedes has planned a power-unit change at Monza with a grid penalty. Its final size will depend on the components actually replaced; announcing a starting position now would be premature.

Toto Wolff presents the decision as the result of the team’s calculations about the best place to absorb the penalty. Antonelli’s challenge is to manage a recovery and its risks without letting the emotion of a home race dictate his decisions. His championship lead gives him room, not protection from a retirement.