The 2026 Formula 1 championship is poised to intensify at the Italian Grand Prix, with the points leader, Kimi Antonelli, forced to start from the back of the grid after a mandatory power‑unit change. Antonelli currently enjoys a 59‑point cushion over his nearest challenger, George Russell, and a 59‑point lead over Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers' Championship.
Yet the most immediate danger may emerge from Lando Norris, who trails by 83 points but has captured victory in the previous two races, signalling a surge in form. Given Antonelli’s unlikely prospects of winning at the high‑speed circuit of Monza, his rivals have a prime chance to chip away at his advantage. A strong performance from any of the contenders could dramatically reshape the championship narrative heading into the final rounds of the season. Ferrari, racing on home soil, will be buoyed by the fervent support of the Tifosi.
The Scuderia is expected to fit fresh power units into the cars of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, but unlike their rivals, they will not be penalised on the grid. The team hopes the upgraded engines will restore their winning momentum after disappointing outings in Hungary and the Netherlands—tracks where pre‑race analysis had predicted Ferrari to be competitive. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the defending champion, secured victory at last year’s Italian Grand Prix. With a robust power‑unit package, Red Bull is likely to be a front‑running contender once again this weekend, aiming to defend their strong record at the historic venue.
Monza holds a special place in Formula 1 lore. 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. Nicknamed the "Temple of Speed," the track is famed for its exceptionally long straights, where cars regularly exceed 350 km/h, and for its iconic corners such as the first‑turn chicane, the Curva Grande, the Lesmo bends, and the sweeping Parabolica that leads onto the main straight. The weekend’s schedule is packed with action across multiple categories.
Thursday, 3 September, begins with a drivers’ press conference at 13:00 followed by the Paddock Uncut show at 16:00. Friday, 4 September, sees Formula 3 practice at 07:30, Formula 2 practice at 08:55, and the first Formula 1 practice session (officially starting at 11:30) later in the morning. Qualifying sessions for F3 and F2 follow, and the day concludes with the F1 Show at 16:15 and a team‑bosses press conference at 17:20. Saturday, 5 September, features a Formula 3 sprint race at 08:25, a third Formula 1 practice session at 11:30, and a Formula 2 sprint at 13:10.
The build‑up to the main qualifying session starts at 14:15, with the official Grand Prix qualifying taking place at 15:00. A post‑qualifying analysis, "Ted’s Qualifying Notebook," airs at 17:00.
Sunday, 6 September, is the climax of the weekend. The Formula 3 feature race kicks off at 07:10, followed by the Formula 2 feature at 08:40 and the Porsche Supercup at 10:40. After a brief build‑up, the Italian Grand Prix itself begins at 14:00, with the chequered flag and post‑race reaction at 16:00, and a final recap in "Ted’s Notebook" at 17:00. Weather forecasts predict clear skies and temperatures around 30 °C throughout the three‑day event, eliminating the likelihood of rain‑induced interruptions and ensuring optimal racing conditions on the high‑speed layout.
How to watch: Sky Sports customers can follow the entire weekend on the Sky Sports F1 channel, from Friday’s opening practice through to the Sunday race. The Sky Sports app also offers live streaming, with an optional "on‑board" camera feed for any driver of choice.
Non‑Sky subscribers may access the coverage via the NOW streaming service, available as a day‑pass or a month‑to‑month membership that can be cancelled at any time. A dedicated live‑blog provides minute‑by‑minute updates for fans on the move, and highlights will be uploaded to the Sky Sports app shortly after the race concludes.
Sky subscribers can also take advantage of Sky ID assistance, which helps users locate or create their Sky ID for seamless login across devices. NOW, the instant streaming platform, delivers all twelve Sky Sports channels and every Sky Sports+ stream, compatible with over 60 devices.
Membership is contract‑free, allowing users to subscribe for a single day or a full month, with pricing details available on the NOW website. In summary, the Italian Grand Prix promises a thrilling showdown at Monza, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli battling a grid penalty, Ferrari hoping to capitalise on home support and new engines, and rivals such as Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and the rest of the field eager to close the points gap. Fans can catch every moment live on Sky Sports F1, stream via the Sky Sports app, or use NOW for flexible, contract‑free viewing. The combination of historic significance, blistering speed, and a tightly contested title race makes this weekend a must‑watch event for any Formula 1 enthusiast.