The 2026 Formula 1 championship is poised to intensify at the iconic Italian Grand Prix, where the current points leader, Kimi Antonelli, will be forced to start from the back of the grid after a mandatory power‑unit swap. Antonelli enjoys a 59‑point advantage over George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in the drivers' standings, yet his most immediate challenger could be Lando Norris, who trails by 83 points but has claimed victory in the previous two rounds.
Because Antonelli’s chances of winning at Monza are slim given his penalty, the race presents a prime opportunity for his rivals to chip away at his lead. Ferrari, buoyed by the passionate Tifosi crowd at their home circuit, are expected to fit fresh engines into the cars of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Unlike many teams, the Italians will not incur any grid penalties for the new units, allowing them to start from their earned positions.
The added horsepower is hoped to restore Ferrari to winning form after disappointing outings in Hungary and the Netherlands—two tracks where the Scuderia was originally forecast to excel. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the defending champion who triumphed at Monza last year, will also be looking to capitalize on a strong power‑unit package and could be a front‑row contender again this weekend. Monza remains one of only four circuits still featured on the original 1950 World Championship calendar, alongside Monaco, Silverstone and Spa‑Francorchamps, and it retains its nickname, the "Temple of Speed," thanks to its sweeping straights and high‑velocity corners. The classic overtaking zone is the approach into the first‑turn chicane, but battles frequently spill through the Curva Grande and into the fourth corner.
After that, drivers negotiate two 90‑degree right‑handers known as the Lesmo bends before accelerating down another long straight toward the Ascari chicane. The lap finishes with the famed Parabolica, a sweeping, high‑speed curve that tests both car stability and driver bravery.
Weather forecasts for the weekend predict clear, sunny conditions with ambient temperatures hovering around 30 °C, meaning rain is not expected to interfere with the on‑track action. Below is a detailed schedule for the three‑day event: Thursday 3 September – 13:00 Drivers' Press Conference; 16:00 Paddock Uncut. Friday 4 September – 07:30 F3 Practice; 08:55 F2 Practice; 11:00 Italian GP Practice 1 (starts 23:30 GMT); 12:55 F3 Qualifying; 13:50 F2 Qualifying; 14:35 Italian GP Practice 2 (starts 15:00 GMT); 16:15 The F1 Show; 17:20 Team Bosses' Press Conference.
Saturday 5 September – 08:25 F3 Sprint; 11:15 Italian GP Practice 3 (starts 11:30 GMT); 13:10 F2 Sprint; 14:15 Qualifying Build‑up; 15:00 Italian GP Qualifying*; 17:00 Ted's Qualifying Notebook. Sunday 6 September – 07:10 F3 Feature Race; 08:40 F2 Feature Race; 10:40 Porsche Supercup Race; 12:30 Grand Prix Build‑up; 14:00 THE ITALIAN GRAND PRIX; 16:00 Chequered‑Flag Reaction; 17:00 Ted's Notebook. *All qualifying sessions are also broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event.
Viewing options for Sky customers include: - Television: Live coverage on Sky Sports F1 from Friday's first practice through to the Sunday race at 14:00. - Mobile/App: The Sky Sports app provides the same live feed, with an optional onboard camera view for any driver. - Streaming: Non‑Sky subscribers can access the weekend via a NOW Day pass or a flexible month‑to‑month subscription.
- Live Blog: A dedicated F1 blog offers real‑time written updates for fans on the move. - Highlights: Short clips of key moments become available shortly after the chequered flag on the Sky Sports app.
Sky Sports subscribers also benefit from Sky ID assistance, guiding users on how to locate or create their Sky ID credentials. NOW, the instant‑streaming platform, delivers all twelve Sky Sports channels plus every Sky Sports+ stream across more than 60 devices. It operates on a contract‑free basis, allowing users to cancel at any time, and offers both daily and monthly membership plans. Current pricing details can be found on the NOW website, where additional information about the service is also provided.
In summary, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza—Ferrari's home race—will take place from 4 to 6 September and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Fans can stream via NOW without a long‑term contract, making it easy to watch the high‑speed drama unfold at the Temple of Speed.