Championship leader Kimi Antonelli at Monza: More engine power, aero update to follow

It’s a case of the glass being half full or half empty for World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli: the 20-year-old Italian will have to move down the starting grid at Monza due to the fitting of a new power unit; his exact starting position will depend on what his rivals do.

However, this new engine is a more powerful unit. In addition – as is always the case at the high-speed temple of Monza – the cars will be run with low downforce to gain as much speed as possible on the straights in the Royal Park.

There will be more downforce at the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia in early October: Mercedes intends to introduce its latest major aerodynamic update there.

It remains to be seen what progress the improvements to the Mercedes will bring. After all, their main rival, Ferrari, is also bringing an improved engine to Italy.

Mercedes is chasing its ninth Constructors’ World Championship title in 2026, its first since 2021. In the standings ahead of Monza, the brand with the star leads on 425 points, ahead of Ferrari on 338 and defending champions McLaren on 263.

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World Champion Kimi Antonelli: record-breaker, heart-breaker, the Tifosi’s dream

With his third-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest of the 36 Formula 1 world champions to date. The 20-year-old Italian is on a record-breaking run. The Tifosi are dreaming of Antonelli in a Ferrari.

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