Lewis Hamilton to take engine penalty at Monza

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes celebrates his win on the podium during the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 12, 2016
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Lewis Hamilton will slide down the grid at Monza, Mercedes reveal.

Lewis Hamilton will slide down the grid at Monza, Mercedes have revealed.

The reigning world champion extended his lead in the 2016 standings recently, but insisted that he still does not feel like the true leader because he is running short on engines.

"It's still not enough because I'm not a race win ahead yet," he said. "I hope I'll be able to get a race win ahead and then I'll feel like I am ahead."

He will get the chance to do just that at Spa this weekend, before taking a fresh Mercedes engine and a subsequent grid penalty at Monza a week later, according to Russia's Sportbox.

"Why Monza? Because we want to minimise the impact of the penalty and it's easier to overtake there," said team boss Toto Wolff.

Hamilton currently leads second-placed teammate Nico Rosberg by 19 points in the driver rankings.

Esteban Ocon of Renault Sport F1 during previews to the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 17, 2016
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