Italian GP 2026: Antonelli faces reported grid drop

Autosport and Motorsport.com reported Mercedes plans a new power unit for Andrea Kimi Antonelli, leaving the 2026 leader facing a Monza grid drop.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is facing a reported grid penalty for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix after Autosport and Motorsport.com said Mercedes plans to fit a new power unit. Both outlets reported the change would take Antonelli beyond his season allocation, which would send the Mercedes driver to the back of the grid at Monza.

The penalty had not been confirmed in the supplied information, so it remains a reported development. Antonelli arrives at Monza leading the 2026 drivers' championship on 242 points, and the Italian has recorded 33 Formula 1 entries, five wins, five poles and 10 podiums across 2025 and 2026.

Mercedes has competed in Formula 1 across 19 seasons from 1954 to 2026, with 138 wins and eight titles. If the reported power-unit change is confirmed, its championship leader would start his home Grand Prix from the back of the field.