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via theguardian.comKimi Antonelli: ‘The F1 environment is great but at times it can be very brutal’Kimi Antonelli, a 20-year-old driver for Mercedes, is currently leading the Formula 1 drivers' championship by 59 points. Despite facing challenges during his debut season, including public scrutiny and pressure, he has emerged stronger and has achieved remarkable success, including five consecutive race victories this season. Antonelli acknowledges the brutal nature of the F1 environment but remains focused on enjoying his racing career.
As he prepares for the Monza Grand Prix, Antonelli will start from the back of the grid due to a penalty for new engine components. He emphasizes the importance of his relationship with his father, who has been a significant support throughout his racing journey. Antonelli's performance and personality have made him a beloved figure in Italy, where fans are eager to see him become the first Italian world champion in decades.
via Formula1.comLiam Lawson calls Friday practice productive for Red BullLiam Lawson and Red Bull Racing described their Friday practice session in Italy as productive. Despite not being among the top contenders, the team focused on gathering valuable data ahead of the race.
via Motorsport.comF1 Italian GP: Saturday schedule, weather forecast and how to watchThe article provides details about the schedule and weather for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza. George Russell topped the timesheets in the second practice session, narrowly beating Charles Leclerc, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli will start from the back due to an engine change. Max Verstappen struggled for balance, finishing ninth in practice.
Saturday's schedule includes free practice 3 and qualifying, with hot weather expected to impact tire and brake management. The race will take place on Sunday, and viewers can watch through various broadcasters depending on their region.
via Motorsport.comMercedes vs Ferrari: Italian GP long runs leave no clear favouriteThe Italian Grand Prix is shaping up to be a close contest between Mercedes and Ferrari, with both teams showing competitive long run times during practice sessions. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton demonstrated equal pace, while George Russell closely followed, indicating a tight race ahead. Mercedes appears to gain an advantage early in the lap, while Ferrari makes up time in the final sector, leaving the outcome uncertain as both teams prepare for qualifying and the race.
In contrast, McLaren struggled to keep pace, lagging behind by four tenths, and Red Bull is positioned as the fourth-best team at Monza. The midfield dynamics are shifting, with Audi facing challenges in engine performance, while Alpine seems to be making a comeback. Overall, the competitive landscape is tight, and minor mistakes could significantly impact race positions.
via PlanetF1Mick Schumacher confirms IndyCar future in MSR moveMick Schumacher has confirmed his future in IndyCar by announcing that he will join Meyer Shank Racing for the 2027 season. He will drive the No. 66 MSR Honda and partner with Marcus Armstrong. Schumacher expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter and the opportunity to work with an ambitious team known for its success, including winning the Indy 500.
Before moving to IndyCar, Schumacher spent two seasons in the World Endurance Championship. As a rookie in the 2026 IndyCar season, he is currently competing for the title of top rookie driver, trailing Dennis Hauger by 18 points. Schumacher's transition to IndyCar has generated significant attention, and he looks forward to building a strong partnership with Meyer Shank Racing.
via Sky Sports F1Hamilton calls Monza pole position a dreamLewis Hamilton expressed excitement about the upcoming qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. He described achieving pole position in front of Ferrari's home crowd as his 'ultimate dream'.
via Formula1.comAntonelli assesses ‘weird’ first day on track in MonzaKimi Antonelli had a mixed first day at the Italian Grand Prix, finishing fifth in the first practice session and third in the second, where his teammate George Russell set the fastest time. Antonelli will start from the back of the grid due to a planned engine change, which he acknowledged would make his race more challenging as he aims to recover positions. He noted that the day felt unusual with a focus on long runs rather than single lap speed, but he gathered valuable data for the upcoming race.
Antonelli also highlighted the competitive nature of the weekend, particularly with Ferrari's improved performance, suggesting a tight battle for pole position. Mercedes' Deputy Team Principal, Bradley Lord, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team's solid performance and the importance of long run pace for Antonelli's strategy. Overall, the team is optimistic about their chances despite the challenges ahead.
via F1iLewis Hamilton raises concerns over Ferrari's upgradesLewis Hamilton expressed concerns about Ferrari's performance following practice sessions at the Italian Grand Prix. He noted that while Ferrari has introduced an engine upgrade, Mercedes may still hold a top speed advantage that could impact the race.
via Formula1.comAlex Albon receives 20-place grid penalty at MonzaAlex Albon will start the Italian Grand Prix from the back of the grid due to a 20-place penalty. This penalty was incurred after Williams made additional power unit changes to his car.
via Formula1.comRussell beats Leclerc and Antonelli to FP2 fastest timeIn Free Practice 2 for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, George Russell set the fastest time, leading the session with a lap of 1m 22.559s. He was followed closely by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, who faced challenges due to an engine change that will see him start at the back of the grid for the race. The session saw all regular drivers back on track after missing the earlier practice, with notable performances from Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
The practice session was marked by competitive lap times and close racing, with drivers attempting to gain an advantage through slipstreaming. Verstappen encountered issues with downforce, while Leclerc briefly lost control but managed to recover. The session concluded with Russell maintaining his lead, setting the stage for an exciting qualifying ahead of the Grand Prix.
via Motorsport WeekItalian GP technical preview: Upgrades and penalties in MonzaThe Italian GP at Monza will see Kimi Antonelli starting from the back of the grid due to an engine penalty, despite leading the championship. Mercedes' George Russell will not face penalties and will benefit from Antonelli's qualifying efforts. Ferrari is bringing the most extensive upgrades, while McLaren's changes are more modest following a significant upgrade in Hungary. Red Bull is focusing on reliability with their upgrades, and Haas is introducing a substantial midfield update, although Esteban Ocon cautions that Monza may highlight larger performance gaps between teams this year.
The rest of the grid is primarily making minor adjustments tailored for Monza's unique demands. Williams and Racing Bulls have implemented small drag modifications, while Audi notably did not submit any updates. The race promises to be competitive with various strategies and upgrades influencing the outcomes, particularly in the context of the new power unit and deployment rules affecting performance on this high-speed circuit.
via F1iGeorge Russell leads practice sessions at MonzaGeorge Russell emerged as the fastest driver in both practice sessions for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. He topped the timesheets in FP2, closely followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and teammate Kimi Antonelli.
via the-race.comEverything you need to know about Italian GP FP2In the second practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, George Russell topped the timesheets, outperforming Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli. Russell's performance was marked by a strong showing on soft tires, despite ending the session with concerns about his car's suspension. Leclerc attempted to match his earlier pace from FP1 but faced a setback with a spin late in the session.
Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top five, while Max Verstappen struggled with car issues, finishing ninth. The session also saw notable performances from Arvid Lindblad and Ollie Bearman, with Bearman benefiting from an upgraded Ferrari power unit. Overall, the session highlighted competitive dynamics among the teams ahead of the race weekend.
via espn.comLeclerc fastest in first practice at Italian GPIn the first practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari achieved the fastest time, setting a record of 1:26.153. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, followed closely in second place, while George Russell secured third. Title leader Kimi Antonelli faced a setback, as he will start from the back of the grid due to a grid penalty for a new engine, finishing fifth in practice. Lando Norris, who has recently won two races, finished sixth in the session, indicating his competitive form.
The session saw several drivers, including Max Verstappen, rotated out as teams fulfilled rookie obligations. Paul Aron emerged as the top rookie, finishing in 10th place. Additionally, the FIA has classified the Italian Grand Prix as a heat hazard amid the ongoing European heatwave, highlighting the challenging conditions for the teams and drivers.
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri receives three-place grid penalty at MonzaOscar Piastri has been penalized with a three-place grid drop for the Italian Grand Prix after impeding Liam Lawson during qualifying. As a result, he will start the race from sixth position instead of third.Wikimedia Commons · Yu Chu Chin · CC BY-SA 4.0Untitled storyWikimedia Commons · Raph_PH · CC BY 2.0Untitled story
via Motorsport.comKimi Antonelli unveils Valentino Rossi-inspired helmet for Italian GPKimi Antonelli, the current leader in the Formula 1 championship, has revealed a special helmet design for the Italian Grand Prix that pays tribute to MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi. The design, created by Aldo Drudi, incorporates the Italian flag and is inspired by Rossi's iconic helmet from his 2002 victory at Mugello. Antonelli expressed his excitement about racing with this helmet, stating it was a special wish of his to honor Rossi.
Despite his strong position in the championship, Antonelli will start the race from the back of the grid due to a penalty. He acknowledged the unique experience of racing at home and is looking forward to the challenge, hoping to make the most of the opportunity despite the setback.
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc issues ‘isolate myself’ claim as Ferrari driver reveals personal cost of Italian GPCharles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver, has shared insights into the personal toll of competing at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, where he has experienced immense support from the Tifosi. He emphasizes the importance of isolating himself during the busy race week to recharge, as the demands of the event can be overwhelming, both physically and mentally. Leclerc has won the Italian GP twice, and with Ferrari's upgraded engine, he has the potential to become the second-most successful driver for the team at this event, trailing only Michael Schumacher.
Leclerc recalls the exhaustion he felt after his first victory at Monza in 2019, which lingered into the next race. His journey with Ferrari began in 2019 after a successful career in lower racing categories, and he has since established himself as a prominent figure in Formula 1, boasting nine wins and numerous pole positions. The unique atmosphere at Monza, coupled with the pressure of representing Ferrari, makes this race particularly challenging for him.
via f1oversteer.comMontoya predicts drama between Hamilton and LeclercJuan Pablo Montoya has highlighted the importance of teamwork for Ferrari during the Italian Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc also emphasized that slipstreaming will be a key factor in the race.Page 28 of 45

