Kimi Antonelli assists George Russell during Italian Grand Prix qualifying
7 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 5, 2026, 8:00 AM
Last updated Sep 5, 2026
Kimi Antonelli plans to support Mercedes teammate George Russell during qualifying at the Italian Grand Prix. George Russell currently leads the world championship standings but faces a setback for the upcoming race. Due to an engine penalty, the championship leader is required to start the event from the back of the grid. Kimi Antonelli is set to provide on-track assistance to help his teammate navigate the qualifying session despite his own previous penalty issues. The team focuses on managing the qualifying strategy while coping with the grid penalty constraints for the race. The session remains a focal point for the Mercedes garage as they balance individual performance with the wider championship implications of the current engine penalty.
- •Kimi Antonelli will assist George Russell during Italian Grand Prix qualifying
- •George Russell must start the race from the back of the grid
- •The grid penalty stems from an engine violation
- •Mercedes is adjusting team strategy for the qualifying session
- 8:00 AMYahoo Sports — Why Kimi Antonelli’s Italian GP recovery may be tougher than expected
- 8:00 AMMotorsport.com — Why Kimi Antonelli’s Italian GP recovery may be tougher than expected
- 5:01 PMFormula 1 — Antonelli assesses ‘weird’ first day on track in Monza as he predicts ‘tight fight’ for pole position - Formula 1
- 7:09 AMYahoo Sports — Antonelli sends ominous Italian GP warning to Mercedes' rivals despite grid penalty
"Kimi Antonelli has warned Mercedes' F1 rivals that the Silver Arrows could still be in for a strong weekend at the Italian GP, despite not bringing major upgrades to Monza and the championship leader taking a back-of-the-grid penalty at his home race. 59 points clear of his teammate George Russell and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, Antonelli will start at the back of the grid at Monza after Mercedes opted for a power unit change which takes them over their allocated swaps for the season.
"When Mercedes put sentiment to one side and made the rational decision to let Kimi Antonelli take a fifth Formula 1 power unit in his home race, landing him a back-of-the-grid start for exceeding his allowance for the year, it did so for a good reason. With the strength of Mercedes' 2026 power unit, and a freshly built example no less, Mercedes is expecting its young challenger to ...Keep reading
"Kimi Antonelli is ready to help Mercedes team-mate and title rival George Russell in qualifying at the Italian Grand Prix for a race the world championship leader will start at the back of the grid due to an engine penalty.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 5, 2026, 8:00 AMWhy Kimi Antonelli’s Italian GP recovery may be tougher than expected
Fernando Alonso tipped Antonelli to climb from last to third at Monza, but Ferrari’s improved engine performance has made the Mercedes driver less confident
- Motorsport.comSep 5, 2026, 8:00 AMWhy Kimi Antonelli’s Italian GP recovery may be tougher than expected
When Mercedes put sentiment to one side and made the rational decision to let Kimi Antonelli take a fifth Formula 1 power unit in his home race, landing him a back-of-the-grid start for exceeding his allowance for the year, it did so for a good reason. With the strength of Mercedes' 2026 power unit, and a freshly built example no less, Mercedes is expecting its young challenger to ...Keep reading
- Formula 1Sep 4, 2026, 5:01 PMAntonelli assesses ‘weird’ first day on track in Monza as he predicts ‘tight fight’ for pole position - Formula 1
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli has reflected on his Friday at the Italian Grand Prix as he prepares to take a grid penalty ahead of Sunday's race.
- Yahoo SportsSep 4, 2026, 7:09 AMAntonelli sends ominous Italian GP warning to Mercedes' rivals despite grid penalty
Kimi Antonelli has warned Mercedes' F1 rivals that the Silver Arrows could still be in for a strong weekend at the Italian GP, despite not bringing major upgrades to Monza and the championship leader taking a back-of-the-grid penalty at his home race. 59 points clear of his teammate George Russell and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, Antonelli will start at the back of the grid at Monza after Mercedes opted for a power unit change which takes them over their allocated swaps for the season.
- Sky Sports—Penalised Antonelli to help Russell at Italian GP
Kimi Antonelli is ready to help Mercedes team-mate and title rival George Russell in qualifying at the Italian Grand Prix for a race the world championship leader will start at the back of the grid due to an engine penalty.
- Formula1.com—Russell expects tow from Antonelli in Monza Qualifying
George Russell has revealed that Mercedes team mate Kimi Antonelli is primed to help him with a tow during Qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, despite their respective quests for the 2026 world title.
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