Kimi Antonelli will officially start the 2026 Italian Grand Prix from the back row of the grid after Mercedes introduced new power unit components at Monza, triggering a substantial FIA grid penalty. The Italian had already revealed that a penalty was coming after Mercedes decided to use a fifth internal combustion engine, and Toto Wolff subsequently confirmed the team’s plan.
The FIA has now formally confirmed the changes, turning what had been expected into an official penalty for the championship leader at his home Grand Prix.
Kimi Antonelli officially takes Monza engine penalty
Mercedes has introduced Kimi Antonelli’s fifth internal combustion engine of the season, exceeding the four permitted without penalty. The number 12 car has also received a fourth energy store (ES) and a fourth power unit control electronics unit (PU-CE), taking Kimi Antonelli beyond the permitted allocation for those components as well.
The changes mean the Mercedes driver has accumulated at least 15 places of grid penalties and will therefore start from the back row at Monza. Alexander Albon is also set to start from the rear after Williams introduced a new engine for the Anglo-Thai driver.
The decision had been expected for several days, with Mercedes preparing a fresh power unit focused primarily on reliability rather than additional performance. The penalty represents a significant short-term sacrifice for Kimi Antonelli as Mercedes looks beyond the Italian Grand Prix and towards the decisive phase of the championship.
FIA confirms Kimi Antonelli’s new power unit components
The FIA issued the following confirmation regarding the power unit changes that have placed Kimi Antonelli on the back row at Monza.
Kimi Antonelli’s task is now clear: recover as many positions as possible on a circuit where overtaking is generally easier than at many other Formula 1 venues. The Italian remains at the centre of the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, making damage limitation especially important this weekend.
Why Mercedes chose Monza for Antonelli’s penalty
Ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Toto Wolff approached the situation pragmatically. The Mercedes Team Principal explained that the team had to think about the longer-term championship picture and introduce an additional power unit at a circuit where recovering through the field should be more achievable.
Mercedes had therefore already accepted that Kimi Antonelli’s Monza grid position would be sacrificed with the championship campaign in mind.
The penalty will make the Italian’s home Grand Prix considerably more difficult, but Monza’s long straights and overtaking opportunities give Kimi Antonelli a realistic chance to limit the damage and fight his way back towards the points.
