Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli is set to take a completely new power unit at the Italian Grand Prix, a move that will send him to the back of the grid regardless of where he qualifies.
The championship leader has already exceeded his seasonal allocation of power unit components, prompting Mercedes to take the penalty at Monza.
Drivers are allowed four power units over the course of the campaign, but reliability issues have left the German team expecting both Antonelli and George Russell to exceed their allocations sooner or later.
Antonelli has already reached the limit for both his V6 internal combustion engine and exhaust system, while Russell is also at the limit of his allocation for both the internal combustion engine and turbocharger.
“As far as Kimi is concerned, we’re going to change everything,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said. “In theory, our calculations suggest this is the best circuit to take the penalty. Obviously, our algorithms don’t take nationality into account, but we’re fighting for the championship, so we have to do it.”
Wolff dismissed suggestions Mercedes had considered delaying the change because Monza is Antonelli’s home race.
Russell is also expected to serve a power-unit penalty at some stage, although Mercedes have yet to decide where. The Briton took his fourth power unit in Hungary, the final race before the summer break.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix follows Monza and could represent another option, with engine performance crucial in Baku and the circuit offering plenty of overtaking opportunities for a driver starting further down the order.
Antonelli currently leads the championship with 242 points, ahead of Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who are tied on 183.
The Italian Grand Prix at Monza takes place from September 4–6.
