The young Mercedes driver, Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the Formula 1 championship, will start from the last position at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix after the team decided to replace his engine, thus exceeding the power limit allowed for the season.
Drivers are permitted to use a maximum of four power units during the year, but the reliability difficulties Mercedes has faced during the first half of the season have made it only a matter of time before drivers had to take a penalty.
Antonelli has already reached the limit of his V6 system and exhaust shaft usage. Thus, Mercedes has confirmed that they will change his engine right before his home race in Monza.
The team’s director, Toto Wolff, commented that the decision was made for technical and strategic reasons, rather than considerations regarding the driver’s nationality. “Theoretically, Monza is the best circuit to make this change. We are fighting for a championship, not for good public appearances,” Wolff assured.
Meanwhile, his teammate, George Russell, also has to face a penalty soon, although the team is still evaluating when to carry out the engine change. Russell resorted to his fourth power unit at the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, the last before the summer break, which offers him some flexibility for the upcoming races.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
