Mercedes dominates both championships, but the team already has to manage an issue that could complicate its end of the season: the usage limits of its power unit components.
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Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are now close to exceeding their allowed quota, which would force Mercedes to accept grid penalties.
Toto Wolff acknowledges that the team is already studying the circuits where a possible penalty would be the least costly.
Ten-place drop
Antonelli’s situation became particularly complicated at Spa, where Mercedes installed a fourth internal combustion engine after detecting concerns about the one used at Silverstone. A fifth unit would result in a ten-place grid penalty, while the simultaneous replacement of the engine and exhaust could double the sanction.
Russell finds himself in a similar situation. A water pressure problem in Hungary forced Mercedes to install his fourth power unit while there are still twelve races to go.
Wolff nevertheless hopes to finish the season without exceeding the quotas: “Regarding engine penalties, I still really hope we won’t need to take one.”
Monza, a surprising option for Antonelli
Mercedes must however prepare all scenarios and Monza appears as a particularly interesting possibility. The long straights of the Italian circuit and the overtaking opportunities can facilitate a comeback after a penalty.
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The choice would nevertheless be symbolically delicate for Antonelli since it would be his home Grand Prix. Wolff however believes that a start from the back of the grid could paradoxically reduce the pressure on his young driver.
“We have to decide when we might have to take this penalty and on which circuits,” confirms the Austrian manager. “There is one that could be very special for Kimi, but which, on paper, seems to be a good place to accept an engine penalty. So we have to discuss the possibility of taking a penalty at Monza. This would also relieve some pressure on Kimi at Monza by making him start from the back of the grid.”
Achilles’ heel
The Mercedes boss mainly acknowledges that the reliability problems encountered this season make the situation difficult to predict: “Our reliability simply hasn’t been good. As for whether we will take a penalty or not, we will see.”
Mercedes therefore has to find the best compromise between reliability, strategy, and psychological management.
If an additional change becomes inevitable, Monza could represent the ideal opportunity for Antonelli to limit the sporting consequences.
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