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The championship leader has reached the permitted limit on several engine components after Mercedes encountered reliability problems earlier in the season, leaving a penalty inevitable before the end of the campaign. Mercedes has now determined Monza is the most favourable venue to take the hit, with Antonelli set to receive all major new power unit components for next weekend’s race. Drivers are restricted in the number of components they can use across a season, with exceeding those allocations resulting in grid penalties. Antonelli is already at the limit for his V6 and exhaust system, with Mercedes opting to make a complete change rather than spread penalties across multiple events. Team principal Toto Wolff said the decision was based entirely on Mercedes’ calculations over where the competitive damage could best be limited. “So with Kimi we are taking the full thing [all major components of the power unit],” Wolff said. “In theory, our calculations say that is the best track to take it. “Obviously, algorithms don’t take the nationality into consideration. But we are here to fight for a championship and not get the most PR. “So, yeah, that’s what we are going to do.” The timing creates an added complication for Antonelli given Monza represents his home race and arrives with the recently turned 20-year-old firmly in control of the drivers’ championship. Antonelli holds a 59-point advantage over teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who are tied for second, having led the standings since the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this season. He is also chasing a piece of Italian Formula 1 history, with no home driver having won the Italian Grand Prix since Ludovico Scarfiotti triumphed for Ferrari in 1966. Starting from the rear will significantly complicate Antonelli’s attempt to end that 60-year wait, although Monza’s high-speed layout and overtaking opportunities were factors in Mercedes choosing the circuit for the change. Antonelli, who finished second to Lando Norris at the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend, accepted the penalty was best taken at Monza despite its significance to him. “Obviously going into Monza we have an engine penalty, but I still think it’s the best track to take it,” he said. “Of course, it’s my home race and all that kind of stuff, but, you know, I think it’s the best race to do so. “So, I think it still will give me a chance to do a great result and bring home good points.” Mercedes is also expecting Russell to exceed his allocation before the season is over, although it has yet to decide when to introduce further components on his car. Russell only moved onto his fourth power unit at the Hungarian Grand Prix before the summer break, giving Mercedes greater flexibility over when to take his eventual penalty. “With George, the discussions are ongoing about where to take it,” Wolff said. Mercedes is unlikely to voluntarily compromise both cars at the same event, particularly with the constructors’ and drivers’ championships still at stake. The Italian Grand Prix takes place from September 4-6.