Kimi Antonelli is ready to help Mercedes team-mate and title rival George Russell in qualifying at the Italian Grand Prix for a race the world championship leader will start at the back of the grid due to an engine penalty.

Italy's own Antonelli arrives at his home track of Monza knowing that his healthy points advantage is almost certain to be eaten into this weekend owing to the fact Mercedes are triggering a back-of-the-grid start for him by exceeding power-unit component limits on his car, a legacy of reliability issues from earlier in the season.

Russell and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton both trail Antonelli by 59 points while McLaren's Lando Norris, the winner of the last two races, is 83 points behind.

Given he already knows he will start at the back of the grid whatever result he achieves on Saturday, Antonelli is open to aiding Russell's qualifying session and bid for pole position by providing slipstream assistance to the sister Mercedes around F1's fastest track to provide a straight-line speed and lap-time boost.

"It has been discussed with the team," said Antonelli. "And, yes, we have agreed on a few things. So let's see how the session develops. But if the team will ask me to do so, I will do it." Russell said the fact Antonelli was willing to help him out reflected well on Mercedes' culture.