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 change. Antonelli currently enjoys a 59‑point advantage over George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers' Championship, yet his most immediate challenger could be Lando Norris. Norris sits 83 points behind Antonelli but has captured victory in the previous two races, suggesting he could close the gap if Antonelli struggles at Monza. Given Antonelli's low probability of winning at the high‑speed circuit, his rivals have a prime chance to chip away at his lead.
Ferrari, buoyed by the passionate support of the Tifosi, will field new engines for both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The Italian team does not expect any grid penalties, and they hope the upgraded power units will restore them to winning form after disappointing outings in Hungary and the Netherlands—tracks where Ferrari had been tipped to excel. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the winner of last year’s Italian Grand Prix, will also be in contention, as the team’s strong engine package could keep them near the front of the pack this weekend. Monza holds a special place in Formula 1 history; it is one of only four circuits that still appear on the original 1950 World Championship calendar, alongside Monaco, Silverstone and Spa‑Francorchamps.
Its nickname, the "Temple of Speed," reflects the long straights that test both engine performance and driver bravery. Key storylines heading into the race include Antonelli’s role in helping his Mercedes teammate George Russell during qualifying, as Antonelli’s engine penalty forces him to start from the back. Meanwhile, speculation about a potential future move for Antonelli to Ferrari has been downplayed by the young driver. Lewis Hamilton has also weighed in on the historic prospect of becoming the first Black driver to win for Ferrari in Italy, adding another layer of intrigue to the weekend.
The event will also see Isack Hadjar miss the Grand Prix due to a wrist injury, giving Liam Lawson another opportunity to race for Red Bull at Monza. Ferrari, on its home turf, hopes the engine upgrade will enable a serious challenge for victory, while the rest of the field prepares for the classic Monza battles.
Monza’s layout favours overtaking in a few key zones. The primary passing spot is the Turn 1 chicane, where drivers often jostle for position before heading into the high‑speed Curve Grande and then Turn 4.
After this, the circuit presents two 90‑degree right‑handers known as the Lesmos, followed by a long straight that leads into the Ascari Chicane. The final corner, the iconic Parabolica, is a sweeping left‑hander that tests a car’s rear‑end stability before the start‑finish straight.
Weather forecasts predict clear, sunny conditions throughout the weekend, with temperatures hovering around 30 °C, meaning rain is unlikely to interfere with the racing. The schedule is packed: 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 one (starts 23:30 GMT); 12:55 F3 qualifying; 13:50 F2 qualifying; 14:35 Italian GP practice two (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 three (starts 11:30 GMT); 13:10 F2 sprint; 14:15 Italian GP qualifying build‑up; 15:00 Italian GP qualifying (also on Sky Sports Main Event); 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. Sky Sports provides comprehensive coverage for subscribers.
Live television will be available on Sky Sports F1 from Friday’s first practice session through to the race on Sunday at 14:00. The Sky Sports app also lets subscribers stream every session, with the added novelty of an onboard camera feed for any driver of choice. Non‑subscribers can access the action via NOW, either with a day pass or a flexible month‑to‑month membership that can be cancelled at any time.
Additional Sky Sports offerings include a live blog for those on the move, immediate post‑race highlights on the Sky Sports app, and support for Sky ID creation or recovery. NOW is a streaming platform that bundles all twelve Sky Sports channels, Sky Sports+ streams, and more, compatible with over 60 devices and offering contract‑free plans. In summary, the Italian Grand Prix promises high drama on one of the sport’s most historic circuits. With championship leader Antonelli starting from the back, a strong Ferrari home crowd, and a packed schedule of support races, fans have plenty to watch.
Whether you are a Sky Sports subscriber or prefer the flexibility of NOW, the weekend’s action will be readily accessible across multiple platforms, ensuring no one misses the excitement of Monza’s "Temple of Speed."