Antonelli Will Start Monza From the Back and Says He Will Help Russell

Overview

• Antonelli took a power‑unit change that carries a grid penalty and said Thursday he will support team‑mate George Russell if Mercedes asks during the Italian Grand Prix weekend.
• The 20‑year‑old still leads the drivers’ standings with 242 points, a 59‑point advantage over both Russell and Lewis Hamilton, so the team must protect a sizable championship lead while weighing short‑term gains.
• Friday practice at Monza showed Ferrari quick with Charles Leclerc fastest but Mercedes remained competitive, with Russell third and Antonelli inside the top five in TL1.
• Antonelli will race in Monza wearing a special helmet that honors Valentino Rossi and Italian culture, a move that has amplified local attention because he could become the first Italian F1 champion since 1953.
• Lewis Hamilton publicly praised Antonelli’s talent and maturity, a comment that has increased discussion about the young driver’s long‑term prospects and adds pressure on Mercedes to manage driver roles carefully.