Samwise F1 Newsletter
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Kimi Antonelli to Start From Back of Grid at Italian GP as Mercedes Confirms Full Power Unit Change
Mercedes has confirmed championship leader Kimi Antonelli will start from the back of the grid at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix after exceeding his allowance of power unit components for the 2026 season. The team chose Monza for the penalty because its long straights and overtaking opportunities give Antonelli the best chance of recovering positions with a fresh engine. Team principal Toto Wolff stated the decision was made purely on strategic grounds, despite the race being the Italian's home grand prix. Antonelli has suffered two power unit-related DNFs earlier in 2026 and arrives at Monza with a 59-point championship lead.
Ferrari Brings ADUO 2 Engine Upgrade to Italian GP With Estimated 15-Horsepower Gain
Ferrari will introduce its second power unit upgrade of the 2026 season at Monza, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc set to run the new ADUO 2 engine. The upgrade features an enlarged turbocharger with a new compressor and auxiliary component enhancements aimed at boosting efficiency and optimising turbo performance. Ferrari estimates the upgrade will provide approximately 15 horsepower, helping to reduce the team's deficit to Mercedes on straights. The ADUO 2 is Ferrari's second and final permitted power unit development under 2026 FIA regulations, making the Monza debut a pivotal moment for the team's remaining championship campaign.
Sources: Motorsport.com
Monza Seen as Crucial Test of McLaren's 2026 Title Aspirations as Norris Faces Top Speed Challenge
Lando Norris's Formula 1 title challenge faces a significant test at the Italian Grand Prix, with McLaren acknowledging the circuit's low-downforce characteristics present a potential weakness for the MCL40. After securing back-to-back victories in Hungary and the Netherlands, Norris arrives 83 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli. McLaren's recent success came at high-downforce circuits, and team engineers have warned they may not have the outright fastest package at Monza's power-sensitive layout. The Italian GP, with Antonelli starting from the back due to a grid penalty, represents Norris's clearest opportunity yet to close the championship gap significantly.
Sources: Motorsport.com
McLaren to Debut Rotating H-Wing Rear Wing at Italian Grand Prix
McLaren will introduce its new H-Wing at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, bringing the team's version of the rotating rear wing concept to Monza. The upgrade follows Ferrari's earlier rotating wing design introduced in 2026, with McLaren having tested its version in Hungary in July before selecting Monza for its race debut. Named after the H in Etihad Airways branding on the rear wing, the device is part of F1's reintroduced active aerodynamics regulations for 2026. The upgrade comes as Lando Norris seeks to maintain momentum from his back-to-back victories at the Hungarian and Dutch Grands Prix.
Mercedes Saves ADUO Power Unit Upgrade for US Races, Confirming No New Engine at Monza
Mercedes has confirmed it will not introduce its ADUO-upgraded power unit at the Italian Grand Prix, with the updated engine planned for debut at either the United States Grand Prix in Austin or the Mexico City Grand Prix in October. Kimi Antonelli will take a fresh power unit at Monza, but it will be the same specification used throughout the 2026 season rather than the upgraded variant permitted under ADUO regulations. The team determined that introducing the advanced engine during the US leg of the calendar would provide a greater strategic advantage than deploying it at Monza this weekend.
Sources: Motorsport.com
Isack Hadjar Ruled Out of Italian GP With Wrist Injury as Lawson and Tsunoda Continue Substitute Roles
Isack Hadjar will miss a second consecutive Formula 1 Grand Prix as he continues to recover from a wrist fracture sustained during the summer break. Red Bull confirmed the 21-year-old French driver, who broke his wrist in a boxing session during the break, will not return at Monza. Liam Lawson again drives the RB22 in his place, while Yuki Tsunoda returns to the Racing Bulls car alongside Arvid Lindblad, having previously deputísed for Lawson in the Dutch Grand Prix. Red Bull stated it chose not to rush Hadjar's return, preferring the driver to take no undue risk ahead of completing his recovery.
Imola Emerges as Leading Backup Option for F1 Season Finale as Qatar and Abu Dhabi Fate Remains Uncertain
Imola has become the front-runner to host a replacement Formula 1 race if the scheduled season-ending grands prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot proceed due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed a decision on whether the Lusail and Yas Marina circuits can safely host their rounds will be made by mid-September. Under one proposal, a race could be held at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari using Qatar's budget while ACI and Formula Imola manage operations. F1 teams have reportedly made provisional hotel reservations in the Imola area as a contingency measure.
Sources: Motorsport.com
Haas Brings Major VF-26 Upgrade Package to Italian GP in Midfield Points Bid
Haas will introduce a significant aerodynamic upgrade to its VF-26 at the Italian Grand Prix as the team seeks to close the performance gap to its midfield rivals. The American squad has fallen behind teams including Alpine and Racing Bulls in the constructors' standings, with team principal Ayao Komatsu acknowledging the car is currently among the slowest in the midfield. Oliver Bearman expressed cautious optimism about the new parts while noting upgrades do not always produce expected lap time gains on track. Haas sits seventh in the constructors' standings with 21 points, with the new package seen as critical to the team's remaining 2026 campaign.
Sources: GrandPrix247
Drivers' Championship
| Pos | Driver | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | K. Antonelli | 242 |
| 2 | G. Russell | 183 |
| 3 | L. Hamilton | 183 |
| 4 | L. Norris | 159 |
| 5 | C. Leclerc | 155 |
| 6 | M. Verstappen | 112 |
| 7 | O. Piastri | 104 |
| 8 | I. Hadjar | 68 |
| 9 | L. Lawson | 49 |
| 10 | P. Gasly | 44 |
| 11 | A. Lindblad | 23 |
| 12 | F. Colapinto | 19 |
| 13 | O. Bearman | 18 |
| 14 | G. Bortoleto | 10 |
| 15 | N. Hülkenberg | 6 |
| 16 | C. Sainz Jr. | 6 |
| 17 | A. Albon | 5 |
| 18 | E. Ocon | 3 |
| 19 | F. Alonso | 3 |
| 20 | Y. Tsunoda | 0 |
| 21 | L. Stroll | 0 |
| 22 | V. Bottas | 0 |
| 23 | S. Pérez | 0 |
Constructors' Championship
| Pos | Constructor | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes | 425 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 338 |
| 3 | McLaren | 263 |
| 4 | Red Bull | 186 |
| 5 | Racing Bulls | 66 |
| 6 | Alpine | 63 |
| 7 | Haas | 21 |
| 8 | Audi | 16 |
| 9 | Williams | 11 |
| 10 | Aston Martin | 3 |
| 11 | Cadillac | 0 |
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