Breaking: FIA Confirm 30-Place Grid Penalty for Kimi Antonelli at Italian Grand Prix Following….read more

FIA Confirm 30-Place Grid Penalty for Kimi Antonelli at Italian Grand Prix

Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli faces a huge grid drop at Monza after exceeding his permitted power-unit allocation, setting up a difficult home race for the championship leader.

Kimi Antonelli’s homecoming at Monza has taken a dramatic turn after the FIA confirmed that the Mercedes driver will receive a 30-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix.

The penalty was expected after Mercedes opted to introduce additional power-unit components beyond Antonelli’s permitted allocation for the season. However, the FIA’s official decision has now confirmed the full extent of the punishment.

Antonelli, who heads into his home race as the Formula 1 championship leader, will therefore start from the back of the field once the grid penalties are applied.

Antonelli hit with three separate penalties

The unusually large penalty comes from Mercedes fitting Antonelli with multiple components that carry individual grid penalties.

The Italian has taken a fifth internal combustion engine (ICE), which carries a 10-place penalty. He has also received a fourth control electronics unit (PU-CE), adding another 10 places.

On top of that, Mercedes fitted a fourth energy store (ES), resulting in another 10-place penalty.

With all three penalties accumulated, Antonelli faces a total 30-place grid drop.

The FIA decision stated: “The use of each additional element in this case carries a 10 grid place penalty therefore there is an accumulation of 30 places.”

Alex Albon also takes a grid penalty

Antonelli will not be the only driver starting from the rear at Monza.

Williams driver Alex Albon has been handed a 20-place grid penalty after taking a fifth ICE and fourth PU-CE.

While Albon’s punishment is smaller, both drivers will face the difficult task of fighting through the field at one of Formula 1’s fastest circuits.

For Mercedes, however, the decision to introduce the additional components at once suggests the team is prepared to accept the penalty now in order to strengthen its power-unit position for the remainder of the campaign.

Mercedes also fined at Monza

Antonelli’s difficult Friday did not end with the grid penalty.

Mercedes has also been fined €100 after the championship leader was found to have exceeded the pit-lane speed limit by just 0.1km/h during free practice.

The relatively minor fine is unlikely to concern Mercedes, but it adds another unwanted incident to what has already become a challenging home weekend for Antonelli.

Antonelli faces a major championship test

Starting from the back at Monza represents a significant challenge for Antonelli, particularly with the championship lead now carrying greater pressure.

The Mercedes driver will have to produce a composed recovery drive while avoiding incidents and managing tyre strategy around the high-speed Italian circuit.

For the thousands of Italian fans who have gathered to support their rising star, Antonelli’s home Grand Prix was expected to be a celebration. Instead, the championship leader now faces one of the toughest races of his season.

The 30-place penalty may put Antonelli at the back, but it also sets the stage for one of the most intriguing comeback drives of the Italian Grand Prix.