Andrea Kimi Antonelli starts a comeback race on Sunday in Monza. The young Italian starts at the back of the grid for his home race due to new engine parts. However, several sources now report that this is probably not the last comeback race for the championship leader this season. Mercedes is reportedly still planning to use the ADUO regulation and bring new upgrades during the United States GP.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli starts his home race from the back of the grid. Mercedes decided to give the home hero new engine parts for his W17. Therefore, the young Italian is facing a comeback race on Sunday in Monza. However, it may well be that this is not the last time this season for Kimi Antonelli. According to the German Auto, Motor und Sport, Mercedes has decided to still bring upgrades under the assigned ADUO regulation.
Because Mercedes does not have the best internal combustion engine on the grid – which is in the hands of Red Bull, according to the FIA – the team gets opportunities to bring extra upgrades to the power unit. The Silver Arrows initially did not want to use these upgrades in 2026, but the team has reportedly changed its mind according to the German media. It has come out in Monza that Mercedes will still bring an upgrade.
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New comeback race for Kimi Antonelli in Austin?
That this will probably end in another comeback race for championship leader Kimi Antonelli can be concluded from the list of upgrades for the Italian in Monza. Only the engine, battery, and power electronics have been replaced; not the turbocharger, MGU-K, exhaust, and auxiliaries. According to Auto, Motor und Sport, Kimi Antonelli will still get a new turbocharger – probably during the United States GP in Austin – which will result in a new grid penalty.
George Russell would meanwhile have to start at the back in Baku. The German media reports that the Silver Arrows want to replace the entire power unit of the Brit’s W17 then. It is expected that customer teams of Mercedes, such as McLaren, will soon face grid penalties as well, since they will also want to benefit from the new technology from the Silver Arrows.
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