Antonelli: Ferrari engine upgrade has erased Mercedes' straight-line speed edge

Kimi Antonelli believes Ferrari’s latest engine upgrade has erased Mercedes’ straight-line speed advantage, making the Scuderia a threat at Monza. Ferrari introduced its new power unit at its home race, and Antonelli says the two engines are equal on the straights.

Why it matters:

Ferrari had repeatedly pointed to top speed as a weakness, while Mercedes was the benchmark in a straight line. If Antonelli’s read is right, Ferrari’s cornering strength plus the upgraded engine could make it a contender at Monza — and a bigger factor in the remaining races this season.

The details:

• Antonelli: “Ferrari, definitely they took a step forward with the new engine, and now the speeds are the same.”
• He added: “We know how good their car is in the corners. So for sure, it’s going to be a tight fight for pole tomorrow.”
• Mercedes fitted a fresh power unit to Antonelli’s car, meaning he will start from the back of the grid.
• The team chose Monza for its overtaking opportunities and spent Friday focusing on long-run pace and data collection.

What's next:

Antonelli will start from the back, so race pace will matter more than qualifying position. Ferrari will aim to convert its upgraded package into a home win, while Mercedes trusts its strategy call will pay off.