2026 Italian Grand Prix Preview

F1 Grand Prix of Italy — (Image credit: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

Guide to the 2026 Italian Grand Prix as F1 arrives at Monza with Italy’s Andrea Kimi Antonelli heading a three-driver title scrap.

The infamous Temple of Speed circuit plays host to Ferrari and Racing Bull’s home race alongside drivers’ championship leader, Antonelli as the Mercedes driver holds a 59-point lead over George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.

Red Bull meanwhile will be without Isack Hadjar as he continues his recovery from a wrist injury, meaning that Liam Lawson will race in his place whilst his seat at Racing Bulls is filled by Yuki Tsunoda for a second race weekend.

Max Verstappen and Alex Albon meanwhile will skip FP1 at Red Bull and Williams respectively as Ayumu Iwasa and Luke Browning take their seats for the session, whilst Colton Herta and Paul Aron will replace Sergio Perez and Pierre Gasly at Cadillac and Alpine respectively for the opening session.

Now, here is a full guide to everything that you need to know ahead of the 2026 Italian Grand Prix from track information to key pointers and more.

Track Guide

Circuit: Autodromo Nazionale Monza

Laps: 53

Race Distance: 306.720km

Tyre Compounds: C3, C4 & C5

Schedule

Date	Session	Time (BST)
Friday 4 September	FP1	11:30am
Friday 4 September	FP2	3:00pm
Saturday 5 September	FP3	11:30am
Saturday 5 September	Qualifying	3:00pm
Sunday 6 September	Race	2:00pm

Five Key Pointers

With Monza being a low downforce circuit, teams will likely run an one-off aerodynamic specification for this track given its high-speed nature.
Slipstream and tow effects will be crucial in Qualifying for all teams to maximise their chances so expect traffic to be an issue heading towards the Parabolica ahead of flying laps.
With hot temperatures forecast across the weekend, teams will need to find a way to protect their tyres from overheating if want to maximise their race strategy.
Having found form in the last two races, McLaren will be favourites but Ferrari and Mercedes can’t be discounted out in the race for pole and victory.
With a 20+ place grid penalty at his home event for a power unit change, Antonelli’s priority will be to try and minimise his likely points losses to Russell and Hamilton in their title fight.

Last Time Out

Having lost the lead to Lando Norris on lap two in F1’s visit in 2025 after he had began the race on pole position, Verstappen retook the lead two laps later and proceeded to cruise to a comfortable victory in just 73 minutes ahead of Norris who had swapped positions with Oscar Piastri on lap 49.

2026 Italian Grand Prix Preview