News Summary
- Kimi Antonelli will start the Italian GP from the back of the grid after Mercedes changed several power-unit components.
- The championship leader helped George Russell with a tow during the final phase of qualifying after setting the fastest time in Q2.
- Antonelli’s priority for the race is to avoid trouble in the opening laps and clear traffic as quickly as possible before chasing the faster cars.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli was satisfied with the role he played in helping George Russell during the final phase of Italian GP qualifying on Saturday (5), despite having already been handed a grid penalty that will force him to start from the back. The current Drivers’ Championship leader is now focused on recovering as quickly as possible in Sunday’s race, with avoiding trouble in the opening laps his main priority.
Antonelli qualified seventh but will start the Italian GP from 20th after Mercedes changed several power-unit components on his car, triggering grid penalties. With his starting position already compromised, the Italian focused on providing a tow for Russell during the final phase of qualifying, following Mercedes’ strategy.
Antonelli had briefly set the fastest time in Q2 before switching his focus to helping his team-mate. Russell ultimately qualified second, just 0.060s behind Pierre Gasly, who secured the first pole position of his Formula 1 career with a 1:21.786 lap.
Speaking to British broadcaster Sky Sports after qualifying, Antonelli explained that helping Russell was simply what Mercedes had asked him to do. He said he was happy to have fulfilled his role as a team-mate, particularly given that his own qualifying result would not determine his starting position because of the penalty.
Mercedes had already confirmed ahead of qualifying that Antonelli would provide Russell with a tow in Q3, with the strategy designed to maximise the team’s chances of fighting for pole at Monza.
Antonelli also acknowledged that his own qualifying lap was not completely clean, but his attention was ultimately on supporting Russell rather than maximising his own position.
Now, with a long recovery drive ahead, the championship leader said the priority will be to avoid problems through the opening chicanes before clearing traffic as quickly as possible. The goal is then to reach the faster cars and limit the damage in the title fight.
Antonelli enters his home race with a 59-point lead over Russell, meaning Sunday’s result could have a significant impact on the championship standings.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is covering all the action from the Italian GP, the 13th round of the 2026 season.
FAQ
Why will Kimi Antonelli start the Italian GP from 20th?
Antonelli received grid penalties after Mercedes changed several components of his power unit, forcing him to start from the back despite qualifying seventh.
How did Antonelli help George Russell in qualifying?
Because Antonelli was already facing a back-of-the-grid start, Mercedes used him to provide Russell with a tow during the final phase of qualifying. Russell went on to qualify second, 0.060s behind Pierre Gasly.
What is Antonelli’s plan for the Italian GP?
The Mercedes driver is targeting a clean opening phase, avoiding trouble through the first chicanes and then moving through traffic as quickly as possible before trying to chase the faster cars.
