The 2026 Formula 1 championship is poised to intensify at the Italian Grand Prix, where the points leader, Kimi Antonelli, will be forced to start from the back of the grid after a mandatory power‑unit replacement. Antonelli currently enjoys a 59‑point lead over George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers' Championship, yet his most immediate challenger could be Lando Norris, who trails by 83 points but has claimed victory in the previous two races.
Antonelli’s compromised starting position at Monza makes a win highly unlikely, opening a window for his rivals to chip away at his substantial advantage. Ferrari will be buoyed by the fervent support of the Tifosi, the passionate home crowd, and the team plans to fit fresh engines into the cars of Charles Leclerc and, surprisingly, Lewis Hamilton—though neither driver will incur grid penalties for the new units. The added horsepower is intended to restore Ferrari’s competitive edge after disappointing performances in Hungary and the Netherlands, circuits where the Italian marque had been predicted to excel. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the defending champion who triumphed at last year’s Italian Grand Prix, will also be looking to capitalize on a strong power unit and could be a front‑runner again this weekend.
Monza holds a special place in Formula 1 history: it is one of only four circuits that have featured on every World Championship calendar since the inaugural season in 1950, alongside Monaco, Silverstone and Spa‑Francorchamps. Its nickname, the "Temple of Speed," reflects the character of the layout, dominated by long straights that test engine performance and driver bravery.
The most common overtaking opportunity comes at the Turn 1 chicane, but battles frequently spill through the Curva Grande and into Turn 4. After this sequence, drivers negotiate two 90‑degree right‑handers known as the Lesmos, before accelerating down another lengthy straight toward the Ascari Chicane.
The final corner, the iconic Parabolica, provides a classic high‑speed challenge before the start‑finish straight. Weather forecasts for the weekend are favorable, predicting clear skies and temperatures around 30 °C, meaning rain should not interfere with the on‑track action.
Below is a detailed timetable for the three‑day event: **Thursday, 3 September** - 13:00 – Drivers' press conference - 16:00 – Paddock Uncut **Friday, 4 September** - 07:30 – Formula 3 practice - 08:55 – Formula 2 practice - 11:00 – Italian Grand Prix practice session 1 (official start at 11:30) - 12:55 – Formula 3 qualifying - 13:50 – Formula 2 qualifying - 14:35 – Italian Grand Prix practice session 2 (official start at 15:00) - 16:15 – The F1 Show - 17:20 – Team bosses' press conference **Saturday, 5 September** - 08:25 – Formula 3 sprint race - 11:15 – Italian Grand Prix practice session 3 (official start at 11:30) - 13:10 – Formula 2 sprint race - 14:15 – Qualifying build‑up for the Grand Prix - 15:00 – Italian Grand Prix qualifying (also streamed on Sky Sports Main Event) - 17:00 – Ted’s Qualifying Notebook **Sunday, 6 September** - 07:10 – Formula 3 feature race - 08:40 – Formula 2 feature race - 10:40 – Porsche Supercup race - 12:30 – Grand Prix build‑up - 14:00 – The Italian Grand Prix (race start) - 16:00 – Chequered‑flag reaction segment - 17:00 – Ted’s Notebook recap **Television and streaming options** - **Sky Sports F1**: Sky subscribers can watch every session from Friday morning’s first practice through to the race on Sunday at 14:00. - **Sky Sports app**: The same coverage is available via the app, with the added feature of an on‑board camera feed for any driver of choice. - **NOW streaming**: Non‑Sky customers may purchase a day‑pass or a flexible month‑to‑month membership to stream the entire weekend live. - **Live blog**: For those on the move, a dedicated F1 blog provides minute‑by‑minute updates throughout the weekend.
- **Highlights**: Sky Sports app users can view race highlights shortly after the chequered flag. **Additional Sky Sports subscriber benefits** - Guidance on creating or locating a Sky ID for account access. - Access to all twelve Sky Sports channels and every Sky Sports+ stream via the NOW app, which works on more than 60 devices. - Contract‑free membership options, allowing users to cancel at any time, with the choice of a monthly or daily pass.
For more details on pricing and how to sign up for NOW, visit the official NOW information page. Formula 1 returns to Monza for Ferrari’s home event from 4‑6 September, and the entire action will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Stream via NOW for a contract‑free experience, and enjoy the thrill of the "Temple of Speed" from wherever you are.