Formula One championship leader Kimi Antonelli said Thursday that he is aiming for a top-five finish at Sunday's Italian Grand Priz at Monza, with the 20-year-old Mercedes driver set to start from the back of the grid due to a penalty for a change of engine.
    "Top five is doable," Antonelli told a press conference.
    "I'll do qualifying but I'll still start last.
    "It'll give me a chance to focus on the setup for my race pace.
    "Serving such a big penalty at my home GP isn't ideal, but we're looking at the championship, and this is one of the best tracks to do it.
    "Starting at the back makes me feel under less pressure, I'm lighter, and I'll have even more fun.
    "Of course, I would have preferred to start from pole".
    The Italian prodigy tops the standings with 242 points after 12 of the season's 23 Grands Prix, 59 points more than his team mate George Russell and Ferrari's seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
    McLaren's reigning world champion Lando Norris is fourth with 159 points, while Hamilton's Ferrari team mate Charles Leclerc is four points further back in fifth.
    Antonelli admitted that it is "weird" for Italian Formula One fans to have to choose between cheering on him or their beloved Ferraris.

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