The 2026 Formula 1 championship is poised to intensify at the iconic 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 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. Antonelli’s unlikely chance of a win at Monza opens a sizable window for his rivals to chip away at his lead and reshape the title picture. Ferrari, racing on home soil, will be buoyed by the passionate Tifosi crowd and will field fresh engines in the cars of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton—though they will escape any grid penalties.
The team hopes the upgraded power units will restore their competitive edge after disappointing performances in Hungary and the Netherlands, circuits where they were originally tipped to excel. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the defending winner of last year’s Italian Grand Prix, will be looking to capitalize on a strong power unit to keep his team near the front of the pack.
Monza holds a special place in F1 history: it is one of only four circuits that have appeared on every World Championship calendar since the inaugural season in 1950, alongside Monaco, Silverstone and Spa‑Francorchamps. Nicknamed the "Temple of Speed," the track is famed for its long straights and high‑velocity corners.
The primary overtaking opportunity comes into the tight Turn 1 chicane, but battles frequently spill through the sweeping Curva Grande and into Turn 4. After that, drivers face two 90‑degree right‑handers known as the Lesmos, followed by another lengthy straight that leads to the Ascari Chicane and finally the sweeping Parabolica, a classic final corner that tests both bravery and car balance. The weather outlook for the weekend is favorable, with forecasts predicting clear skies and temperatures hovering around 30 °C, meaning rain is not expected to interfere with the on‑track action. Below is the detailed schedule for the event, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and streamed via the Sky Sports app and NOW platform.
**Thursday 3 September** - 13:00 – Drivers' press conference - 16:00 – Paddock Uncut (behind‑the‑scenes footage) **Friday 4 September** - 07:30 – Formula 3 practice session - 08:55 – Formula 2 practice session - 11:00 – Italian Grand Prix Practice 1 (official start at 11:30) - 12:55 – Formula 3 qualifying - 13:50 – Formula 2 qualifying - 14:35 – Italian Grand Prix Practice 2 (official start at 15:00) - 16:15 – The F1 Show (analysis and interviews) - 17:20 – Team bosses' press conference **Saturday 5 September** - 08:25 – Formula 3 sprint race - 11:15 – Italian Grand Prix Practice 3 (official start at 11:30) - 13:10 – Formula 2 sprint race - 14:15 – Build‑up to qualifying (features and driver insights) - 15:00 – Italian Grand Prix qualifying (live on Sky Sports Main Event) - 17:00 – Ted’s Qualifying Notebook (post‑qualifying analysis) **Sunday 6 September** - 07:10 – Formula 3 feature race - 08:40 – Formula 2 feature race - 10:40 – Porsche Supercup race - 12:30 – Grand Prix Sunday build‑up (pre‑race coverage) - 14:00 – The Italian Grand Prix (race start) - 16:00 – Chequered‑flag reaction panel - 17:00 – Ted’s Notebook (race recap) *All qualifying sessions are also simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event for maximum accessibility. ### How to watch - **Television:** Sky Sports F1 will carry every session from Friday morning practice through to the Sunday race, with live coverage beginning at 14:00 local time. - **Sky Sports App:** Subscribers can stream the action on mobile devices, tablets, or connected TVs, and even select a driver’s onboard camera for a personalized perspective.
- **NOW Streaming:** Non‑Sky customers may purchase a NOW Day pass or a flexible month‑to‑month membership to access all twelve Sky Sports channels and the Sky Sports+ streams. The service works on over 60 devices and offers contract‑free cancellation.
- **Live Blog:** For fans on the move, a dedicated F1 live blog provides minute‑by‑minute updates, results and key moments throughout the weekend. - **Highlights:** After the race, Sky Sports app users can watch a curated highlights reel shortly after the chequered flag. ### Additional Sky Sports features - **Sky ID Help:** Guidance on locating or creating a Sky ID for seamless login. - **NOW Membership Options:** Choose between a daily or monthly plan, with the latest pricing available on the NOW website.
The service includes instant streaming, no‑contract commitments, and the ability to cancel at any time. In summary, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza promises a dramatic chapter in the 2026 title fight, with championship leader Antonelli starting from the back, Ferrari hoping to revive its fortunes at home, and several contenders eager to close the points gap.
Fans can follow every twist and turn via Sky Sports’ comprehensive TV and digital platforms, ensuring no one misses the high‑speed drama that only Monza can deliver.