A new engine at Monza is set to see Kimi Antonelli start his home race from the back of the grid.

It's been known for some time that the youngster would need a complete new unit, and clearly the high-speed Autodromo offers the best opportunity for him to make up lost places.

"We are taking the full thing," said Toto Wolff, referring to a complete new unit. "In theory, our calculations say that is the best track to take it.

"Obviously, algorithms don't take the nationality into consideration," he added. "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 new unit will see Antonelli take on his fifth ICE of the season with his teammate, George Russell, also set to take on another before the end of the season.

"With George, the discussions are ongoing about where to take it," said Wolff.

Looking ahead to what will be an emotional weekend, he heads to Monza leading the championship by 59-points, and has the opportunity to become the first Italian to win his home grand prix since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966, Antonelli said: "Obviously going into Monza we have an engine penalty, but I still think it's the best track to take it.

"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."

Despite Monza's reputation as the Cathedral of motor sport and its reputation for superfast speeds and slipstreaming, this year's event is likely to be one of the worst examples of the 2026 regulations, with predictions that there won't be enough battery power to deploy the full length of the Autodromo's various straights.

Despite deploying hard at the beginning of each straight, they will then lose speed until the next braking zone.

Expect little -board footage, especially on the run to the first chicane, the run to Ascari and on the back straight towards the Parabolica.

It is anticipated that even in qualifying, with a full battery and a 5 MJ/lap recharge limit, there will not be enough energy to provide full power for the duration of the straights.

But hey, that should only concern those that make up the "niche", right?