# Why are Mercedes making Kimi Antonelli start last in his home race Monza?

An episode of [Up To Speed](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1875990109), 31 Aug 2026, 43 min.

Audio: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/e9936fd4-2452-47ac-95d8-4771f298b1a5.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=e69003c6-4472-4f45-8a1a-8d3976876963&aw_0_1st.episodeid=e9936fd4-2452-47ac-95d8-4771f298b1a5

The upgrade race is well and truly on! A big slap in the face for Red Bull who have been told AGAIN they have the best engine so can't upgrade (despite not winning a single race yet...) and Toto Wolff is saying Mercedes have run out of money for improvements (do we believe him??). Plus, Kimi Antonelli is taking an engine penalty in his home race, which could mean he starts LAST. So, could Mercedes upgrade strategy cost them the title? Is it unfair to say Red Bull have the best engine? Why is Kimi taking the penalty now? And are Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris rubbing their hands together at all this news? Socials & YouTube: @uptospeedshow Email: uptospeed@global.com Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides Senior Producer: Sophie Penney Video Content Producer: Arvind Badewal and Jack Davy Social Media Producer: Jasmine Wissart Head of Video for Podcasts: Samson Falodun Production Coordinator: Sophie Angus Head of Podcast Talent Operations: Jo Brock Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

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