Lewis Hamilton has been reflecting on the profound significance of possibly becoming the first black driver to win a home Grand Prix for Ferrari as the Italian round approaches at Monza. The seven‑time world champion, who joined the Scuderia in 2024, has already enjoyed a markedly better season in the iconic red livery. His breakthrough win at the Barcelona Grand Prix in June marked his first victory for Ferrari and kept his championship hopes alive, leaving him 59 points behind Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli with eleven races still to run.
Hamilton’s chance of topping the podium in Monza received a further boost when Antonelli was handed a grid‑penalty for exceeding his allocated engine components, meaning the young Mercedes driver will start from the back of the field. This development has added a strategic edge to Hamilton’s weekend plans, as the British star looks to capitalize on any opening that the penalty creates.
When asked what a potential 107th career win would mean, Hamilton admitted he had spent the week contemplating the sheer magnitude of the moment. He said, "I’ve really thought about coming into this weekend and just the sheer scale of the concept that I’m heading to this Grand Prix.
I didn’t even realize I was already level with Michael Schumacher on five Monza victories until I looked at the stats." He went on to explain that the idea of being the first black driver to win for Ferrari in Italy is a historic milestone that would push him into uncharted territory. "Winning at Monza for the first time with Ferrari is something I’ve seen Charles [Leclerc] do in 2019 when I was on the podium with him. To do it myself would be phenomenal.
If it happens, I could become the only black driver ever to achieve that feat for Ferrari in Italy, maybe even in the whole history of the sport. Those thoughts have been running through my mind all week," he added. Hamilton also highlighted the weight of the expectations from the passionate Tifosi crowd and the Ferrari factory staff.
"The pressure is high. You want to deliver for the team, for the people in the factory, many of whom will be at the race, and for the Tifosi, who come in massive numbers and have an unmatched love for the sport.
Delivering for them is a huge responsibility," he said. On a personal note, Hamilton mentioned that his mother would be attending Monza for the first time, hoping to soak up the atmosphere of a Ferrari‑centric weekend. "My mum’s here this weekend – I don’t think she’s ever been to Monza, especially on a Ferrari weekend. I wanted her to experience it and maybe bring a little lucky dust with her," he smiled.
Technical improvements also play a crucial role in Hamilton’s optimism. Ferrari announced on Wednesday that they had taken advantage of the second engine upgrade permitted for the 2026 season, aiming to close the power‑unit gap that has plagued them against Mercedes, who also supply McLaren. Hamilton noted, "Every little bit helps. Up until now we’ve been losing about four tenths of a second per lap on short circuits, which is a huge deficit over a race distance.
This upgrade could be the piece we need to start erasing that gap." He praised the dedication of the Ferrari workforce, saying, "I’m really proud when I go back to the factory and see how hard everyone is working. They’re heads down, enthusiastic, and focused. Last year we lacked a clear north‑star, but this season we have a defined goal and we know where we need to aim. The team has done a tremendous job pulling together and delivering incremental improvements each weekend.
It’s exciting to see the car getting better step by step. I still firmly believe we have what it takes to win." The weekend schedule is packed with support series action, beginning on Friday, September 4, with F3 and F2 practice sessions, followed by the Italian Grand Prix practice. Qualifying sessions for the junior categories and the main F1 qualifying will take place on Saturday, September 5, culminating in the Grand Prix on Sunday, September 6. The full timetable includes: - Friday: F3 Practice (7:30 am), F2 Practice (8:55 am), Italian GP Practice One (11:00 am), F3 Qualifying (12:55 pm), F2 Qualifying (1:50 pm), Italian GP Practice Two (2:35 pm), The F1 Show (4:15 pm), Team Bosses' Press Conference (5:20 pm).
- Saturday: F3 Sprint (8:25 am), Italian GP Practice Three (11:15 am), F2 Sprint (1:10 pm), Italian GP Qualifying Build‑up (2:15 pm), Italian Grand Prix Qualifying (3:00 pm), Ted’s Qualifying Notebook (5:00 pm). - Sunday: F3 Feature Race (7:10 am), F2 Feature Race (8:40 am), Porsche Supercup Race (10:40 am), Grand Prix Build‑up (12:30 pm), The Italian Grand Prix (2:00 pm), Chequered Flag Reaction (4:00 pm), Ted’s Notebook (5:00 pm). All sessions, including the main race, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW without a long‑term contract, allowing fans to cancel at any time.
In summary, Hamilton’s blend of personal ambition, historic potential, technical optimism, and heartfelt family moments sets the stage for a compelling narrative at Monza. Whether he can convert the upgraded machinery and strategic advantage into a win remains to be seen, but the stakes – both sporting and cultural – have never been higher for the seven‑time champion.