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 change. Antonelli currently enjoys a 59‑point advantage over his nearest rivals, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, but the most immediate danger may come from Lando Norris, who sits 83 points behind yet has claimed victory in the previous two races.
While Antonelli’s chances of a win at Monza are slim given his grid penalty, the race presents a golden opportunity for his challengers to chip away at his lead. Ferrari will be buoyed by the passionate support of the Tifosi on home soil, and the team is expected to fit fresh engines into the cars of Charles Leclerc and, surprisingly, Lewis Hamilton—though they will avoid any additional grid penalties.
The extra horsepower is intended to restore Ferrari to a winning rhythm after disappointing performances in Hungary and the Netherlands, circuits where the Scuderia had been tipped to excel. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the winner of last year’s Italian Grand Prix, will be looking to defend his title, and the strength of the Red Bull power unit could see the Dutch driver fighting at the front again this weekend. Monza holds a special place in F1 history; it is one of only four circuits that have featured on the original 1950 World Championship calendar, alongside Monaco, Silverstone and Spa‑Francorchamps.
Its long straights have earned it the nickname "Temple of Speed." The most common overtaking zone is the first chicane after the start‑finish straight, but drivers often continue their battles through the fast Curve Grande and into Turn 4. Following that, the track presents two 90‑degree right‑handers known as the Lesmos, then a lengthy straight leading to the Ascari chicane, and finally the sweeping Parabolica curve that leads back onto the main straight.
The weather outlook for the weekend looks favorable, with forecasts predicting clear skies and temperatures hovering around 30 °C, meaning rain is unlikely to interfere with the on‑track action. **Schedule** - **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 11:30 am); 12:55 F3 qualifying; 13:50 F2 qualifying; 14:35 Italian GP practice 2 (starts 15:00); 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); 13:10 F2 sprint; 14:15 Italian GP qualifying build‑up; 15:00 Italian Grand Prix qualifying*; 17:00 Ted's Qualifying Notebook.
- **Sunday 6 September** – 07:10 F3 feature race; 08:40 F2 feature race; 10:40 Porsche Supercup; 12:30 Grand Prix Sunday build‑up; 14:00 THE ITALIAN GRAND PRIX; 16:00 Chequered Flag reaction; 17:00 Ted's Notebook. *Qualifying also aired on Sky Sports Main Event. **How to watch** - **Television**: Sky Sports F1 will broadcast every session from Friday morning practice through to the Sunday race at 14:00. - **App**: Sky subscribers can stream live on the Sky Sports app, with the added option to switch to an onboard camera feed for any driver.
- **Streaming**: Non‑Sky customers may purchase a NOW Day pass or a flexible month‑to‑month membership to stream the entire weekend. - **Live blog**: For those on the move, a dedicated F1 blog provides minute‑by‑minute updates throughout the event. - **Highlights**: Sky Sports app users can view race highlights shortly after the checkered flag.
**Sky Sports subscriber benefits** - Access to Sky iD support for account setup. - NOW streaming service includes all 12 Sky Sports channels, Sky Sports+ streams, and more, compatible with over 60 devices. - Contract‑free membership options allow cancellation at any time, with choices between daily or monthly passes. Current pricing details are available on the NOW website.
In summary, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza promises a dramatic showdown in the 2026 championship battle. Antonelli’s grid penalty opens the door for his rivals, Ferrari hopes to capitalize on home‑track advantage and fresh power units, while Red Bull aims to keep its momentum.
Fans can catch every moment live on Sky Sports F1, whether via traditional TV, the Sky Sports app, or the NOW streaming platform, and stay updated with live blogs and post‑race highlights.