Kimi Antonelli Faces Challenges in Italian GP Recovery

Kimi Antonelli is set to start from the back of the grid at the Italian Grand Prix after Mercedes decided to equip him with a fifth power unit, exceeding the annual allowance. Despite this setback, Fernando Alonso has predicted that Antonelli could finish in the top three at Monza, citing the track's long straights as advantageous for overtaking.

During Friday's practice, Mercedes showed strong performance, with George Russell leading the session. However, Ferrari's enhanced engine performance poses a significant challenge for Antonelli, who will need to surpass both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to secure a podium finish. He expressed concerns about the competition, noting that Ferrari's cornering capabilities could make the race more difficult.

Mercedes' deputy team principal, Bradley Lord, acknowledged Alonso's prediction but emphasized that the team is focused on securing valuable points for Antonelli. He mentioned the unpredictability of the race, including the potential impact of safety cars, which could influence the outcome.