Kimi Antonelli is ready to help Mercedes team-mate and title rival George Russell in qualifying at the Italian Grand Prix for a race the world championship leader will start at the back of the grid due to an engine penalty. Italy's own Antonelli arrives at his home track of Monza knowing that his healthy points advantage is almost certain to be eaten into this weekend owing to the fact Mercedes are triggering a back-of-the-grid start for him by exceeding power-unit component limits on his car, a legacy of reliability issues from earlier in the season. Russell and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton both trail Antonelli by 59 points while McLaren's Lando Norris, the winner of the last two races, is 83 points behind.
Given he already knows he will start at the back of the grid whatever result he achieves on Saturday, Antonelli is open to aiding Russell's qualifying session and bid for pole position by providing slipstream assistance to the sister Mercedes around F1's fastest track to provide a straight-line speed and lap-time boost. "It has been discussed with the team," said Antonelli when asked about the tow in Thursday's Drivers' Press Conference. "And, yes, we have agreed on a few things.
"So let's see, you know, how the session develops. But if the team will ask me to do so, I will do it. Because, yeah, obviously, I'm not fighting for...
You know, of course, I will still be happy to do pole [by setting the fastest Q3 time], but, of course, I'm starting at the back. "So, if I could do anything to help the team, I will do it." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Russell said the fact Antonelli was willing to help him out reflected well on Mercedes' culture. The Briton is expected to take his own grid penalty for excessive engine usage at a later race, potentially at a similarly-overtaking-friendly Baku City Circuit in three weeks' time.
Russell said: "I think it just goes to show the level of teamwork we have at the moment between the two of us and how Toto [Wolff] wants to operate this team. "I think that is a very good and unique opportunity for us, especially considering where we've both come from, being part of the [junior] programme from the very beginning. I think it's the least we should be doing.
"Last week [at Zandvoort] it worked well and if the roles were reversed, the same would have happened. "This week he's willing to help me out in qualifying, which is great as well. That's just the way we are as a team.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
