Hamilton chases Monza record

Lewis Hamilton heads to Ferrari’s home race on Sunday with a chance to claim a record sixth Italian Grand Prix victory and cut Kimi Antonelli’s championship lead as the Mercedes driver faces a start from the back of the grid.

Ferrari plan to bring an upgraded power unit to Monza, while an engine change will leave Antonelli with a grid penalty at his home event.

The Italian leads the drivers’ standings on 242 points ahead of the season’s 13th round. Hamilton and Mercedes driver George Russell are 59 points behind on 183, with Russell second because his two victories exceed Hamilton’s one.

Hamilton, 41, is pursuing an unprecedented eighth world title. A win on Sunday would also move him clear of Michael Schumacher, with whom he shares the record of five Italian Grand Prix victories.

Ferrari will mark 30 years since Schumacher’s first Monza win for the team with a special livery and team kit. That victory came in 1996, during the German’s first season with the Italian outfit.

The anniversary adds another layer to a weekend in which Ferrari’s supporters must weigh their allegiance to the team against the rise of a homegrown championship leader.

Antonelli, 20, comes from Emilia-Romagna, the same region as Ferrari, and has won six races for Mercedes this season. His engine penalty gives his closest title rivals an opening at one of Formula One’s fastest circuits.

Hamilton took his five Monza victories between 2012 and 2018. He returns to the circuit after criticising Ferrari’s teamwork and strategy at last month’s Dutch Grand Prix, which reigning champion Lando Norris won for McLaren.

Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc also has a strong record at Monza. The Monegasque driver is seeking a third Italian Grand Prix victory after wins in 2019 and 2024.

Team principal Fred Vasseur confirmed Ferrari would receive a power-unit upgrade, as would Audi and Honda.

“It is a step in the right direction and, as we know, this year is all about marginal gains,” Vasseur said.

“Monza is a demanding circuit and the field is very close.”

He said Ferrari’s priority would be to execute every part of the weekend as well as possible.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff acknowledged that the decision to change Antonelli’s engine would be unpopular with the Italian crowd, but said the championship took precedence.

“Obviously, algorithms don’t take nationality into consideration,” Wolff said.

“We are here to go for a championship, not get the most PR.”

Antonelli’s task will centre on recovering positions through overtaking and tyre strategy. Monza’s high speeds offer scope for a recovery drive, though the penalty complicates his attempt to add a home victory to his six wins.

Norris and team-mate Oscar Piastri could also challenge after McLaren’s strong performance at Zandvoort. Norris arrives with a new long-term contract following his Dutch Grand Prix victory.

Last year’s Monza winner Max Verstappen is another contender. The four-time champion will have an updated Honda power unit in his Red Bull as he seeks a fourth Italian Grand Prix win in five years.

Verstappen’s home race ended with an opening-lap crash at Zandvoort.

“Not finishing the race in Zandvoort was disappointing,” he said. “But it was special for me to see the fans at the circuit for one last time.”

Liam Lawson will again partner Verstappen while Isack Hadjar recovers from a broken wrist. Yuki Tsunoda will continue to fill Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls.

“Monza is one of my favourite tracks and I like that it is an old school, fast circuit,” Verstappen said. “I always enjoy it here.”