Lewis Hamilton has been reflecting on the profound significance of potentially becoming the first Black driver to win a home Grand Prix for Ferrari as the Italian round at Monza approaches. The seven‑time world champion, who has already marked a notable improvement in his second season with the Scuderia, secured his inaugural victory for the team in Barcelona earlier this year.
That win not only boosted his confidence but also kept him firmly in the championship hunt, now sitting 59 points behind Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli with eleven races left on the calendar. Hamilton's prospects for a Monza triumph have received an extra lift thanks to Antonelli's grid penalty, which will see the young Mercedes driver start from the back of the field after exceeding his allotted engine components.
This development reshapes the competitive landscape and gives the veteran Briton a clearer path to the top step. When asked what a possible 107th career Grand Prix win would mean to him, Hamilton paused before answering, "I’ve really thought about it coming into this weekend.
As I considered the sheer magnitude of the concept that I’m coming to this race, I realized I was now equal with Michael Schumacher on five Monza victories, for example. But the thought that there could be a first ahead of me—if I were to win, I would be stepping into new territory. "Winning at Monza for the first time with Ferrari is something I’ve seen Charles Leclerc achieve in 2019, when I was on the podium beside him. To do it myself would be phenomenal.
And if I managed that, I would probably become the only Black driver in history to win for Ferrari on Italian soil. Those thoughts have been swirling in my mind all week." He went on to describe the pressure that comes with such a historic opportunity.
"The pressure is high. You also want to deliver for the team. There are all those people at the factory, many of them will get to come to this race, the Tifosi who arrive in huge numbers and whose passion is unmatched. You want to give them something to celebrate as well.
"My mum is here this weekend – I don’t think she’s ever been to Monza, but especially on a Ferrari weekend. I wanted her to experience it and bring any lucky dust she can." Hamilton’s optimism is further buoyed by Ferrari’s recent introduction of a second engine upgrade for the 2026 season. The team announced on Wednesday that they had exercised the second of two permitted upgrades, aiming to narrow the power‑unit gap that has plagued them all year.
Historically, Ferrari’s engine has lagged behind Mercedes, which also supplies McLaren, leaving the Scuderia at a disadvantage on the straight‑line sections of circuits. "Every little helps," Hamilton said. "Up until now we’ve been losing time – even on the last race’s short circuit we were off by four‑tenths of a second per lap. That’s a huge deficit, and we’ve carried it through the season." He praised the work being done at the Maranello factory, noting the renewed focus within the organization.
"I’m really proud when I go back to the factory and see how hard everyone is working. They’re heads down and enthusiastic. I see a different focus this year compared to last year.
Last year there wasn’t a north star; we were doing our best but didn’t know exactly what we were aiming for. Now we have a clear target and we know where we need to go. "They’ve done a tremendous job pulling together and delivering.
This upgrade is a step forward – it doesn’t close the whole gap, but we knew that would be the case. Seeing bits of progress each weekend, adding to the car, is exciting.
I still strongly believe we have what it takes to win." Beyond the on‑track drama, the weekend schedule is packed with support series and fan events. On Friday, September 4, the day kicks off with Formula 3 practice at 7:30 am, followed by Formula 2 practice at 8:55 am, and the first Italian Grand Prix practice session at 11:30 am. The afternoon sees F3 qualifying, F2 qualifying, and the second practice for the Grand Prix, before the F1 Show at 4:15 pm and the team bosses’ press conference at 5:20 pm.
Saturday, September 5, features an F3 sprint at 8:25 am, the third Grand Prix practice at 11:30 am, an F2 sprint at 1:10 pm, and the build‑up to qualifying at 2:15 pm. The main qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix starts at 3 pm, followed by Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 5 pm. Sunday, September 6, rounds out the festival with an F3 feature race at 7:10 am, an F2 feature race at 8:40 am, and a Porsche Supercup race at 10:40 am. The Grand Prix build‑up begins at 12:30 pm, leading into the race itself at 2 pm.
The chequered flag falls at 4 pm, after which the post‑race reaction and Ted’s Notebook air at 5 pm. All events, including the main race, are also available on Sky Sports Main Event.
The atmosphere at Monza promises to be electric, with the iconic "Temple of Speed" drawing passionate Tifosi and global fans alike. For Hamilton, the combination of a historic personal milestone, a competitive car, and the fervor of the Italian crowd creates a perfect storm of motivation. If he can convert this momentum into a win, it would not only add another chapter to his illustrious career but also break new ground in the sport’s diversity narrative. Regardless of the outcome, Hamilton’s reflections underscore how deeply personal ambition, team effort, and cultural significance intertwine in Formula 1.
His desire to honor his mother’s presence, to give the factory crew a tangible reward, and to possibly become the first Black driver to lift the Ferrari trophy in Italy adds layers of meaning to what could be one of the most memorable races of the season. Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW – a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time. The stage is set, the upgrades are in place, and the historic narrative is ready to unfold at Monza.