Antonelli could give Russell a tow in Monza qualifying

The penalty that will force Kimi Antonelli to start the Italian Grand Prix from the back of the grid was already known, but the Mercedes driver has revealed some interesting details about the team’s chosen strategy. During the Italian Media Round, an event held in the Mercedes hospitality area for FIA-accredited Italian media and attended by formula1.it, Antonelli raised the prospect of another power unit-related penalty later in the season.

Antonelli explained: “It’s not ideal to take the penalty at my home Grand Prix, especially such a big penalty. But ultimately, as a team, we are looking at the championship and this is certainly one of the best tracks to do it at.” “It’s better to change everything now and then, hopefully, not have any problems in the future. Also because I think we will take another penalty with the engine, with the hardware, but this time it will only be five places.”

The decision to concentrate the most penalising component changes at Monza was not made on the spur of the moment. Antonelli said the possibility had been on the table for around a month, with Mercedes identifying the Brianza circuit as one of the venues where it is easier to recover from the back of the field.

“At every Grand Prix they do these calculations and simulations, where the system indicates whether race pace or qualifying is more important. For example, at Monaco it’s all about qualifying. Zandvoort is more about qualifying, but race pace is also important. Here, though, if you have race pace, you can come through much more easily: even if you start fifth and are quick, you can still win the race.”

The certainty of starting from the back will allow Mercedes to approach Antonelli’s weekend differently. The work can be focused more heavily on a race-oriented set-up, without necessarily needing to find the best possible compromise for Saturday.

“We will be able to focus more on set-up tests even during the session, because we can afford to. We do not necessarily have to find the set-up that allows us to be quick in qualifying, but we can focus on a set-up that allows me to be quick in the race. It will be interesting and different.”

There is, however, another consequence of the penalty that could turn Antonelli into an asset for the other Mercedes. At Monza, the slipstream can carry significant weight over a flying lap, and the Italian was asked whether he could be called upon to help George Russell during qualifying.

Antonelli did not rule out the possibility: “It could happen. It is a conversation we will have internally as well, so that we are ready if it does happen. But it is not a given. Obviously, I will discuss it with the team too and then we will see how things go, but I think it could happen.”

There is something paradoxical about the situation: Antonelli could find himself helping Russell, his team-mate but also his main rival in the title race. At Mercedes, however, the rules appear very clear: the team’s interests come before individual ones. That was also evident at the previous Grand Prix, when Russell let Antonelli through at the pit wall’s request because the Italian had better pace at that point. At Monza, the roles could in some way be reversed, with Kimi asked to put his qualifying at the service of his team-mate should it offer Mercedes a tangible advantage.

Mercedes could therefore also use Antonelli’s Saturday to support his team-mate. Kimi stressed that he will take part in the session as normal, despite knowing that even an exceptional result would not change his starting position.

The real target will therefore be Sunday. Antonelli considers the top five “very achievable”, naturally provided Mercedes has the pace needed to cut through the field. And the unusual situation also appears to have relieved some of the pressure inevitably associated with a home race.

“This weekend, especially because I am starting last, is full attack. Obviously using my head: it’s not as if on Sunday I’ll arrive at the first braking zone and brake as if it were qualifying, otherwise I’ll take everyone out,” Antonelli joked, prompting laughter from the journalists present. “Ultimately, I’m starting last, so I have nothing to lose. I want to recover as much as possible using my head, but the mindset will be to attack as much as possible, gain as many positions as possible and get the best result.”