Kimi Antonelli hit with Mercedes revenge prank at Italian GP

Lewis Hamilton aims to secure a record sixth Italian Grand Prix victory this Sunday at Monza, as he pursues an unprecedented eighth drivers' world championship title. The 41-year-old champion is closing in on local hero Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the championship by 59 points after securing six wins for Mercedes. Ferrari have announced they will introduce an updated power unit, while Antonelli faces a grid penalty for utilizing a new engine.

Hamilton shares the Monza record of five victories with Michael Schumacher, whose first win at the historic 'temple of speed' in 1991 is being honored with a special livery and team kit.

Antonelli, 20, is currently leading the championship with 242 points, followed closely by his Mercedes teammate George Russell and Hamilton, both in pursuit with 183 points. Russell's two wins this year put him ahead of Hamilton's single win. For Hamilton, Monza has always been a successful venue, with five wins between 2012 and 2018, and he hopes Ferrari will address his concerns about team work and strategy following their recent loss to McLaren's world champion Lando Norris at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Ferrari, along with Audi and Honda, have upgraded their power unit, with team boss Fred Vasseur emphasizing that the team prioritizes executing every aspect of the weekend well. Mercedes' Toto Wolff acknowledged the penalty Antonelli will face, but stressed that the championship leader will still need to focus on tyre management, strategy, and overtaking, rather than simply relying on pole position and victory.

Other potential contenders include McLaren's Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who will race with an updated Honda power unit, seeking his fourth victory at Monza in five years.