Lewis Hamilton entered the weekend at Monza with a renewed sense of optimism, believing that Ferrari’s latest technical enhancements could give him a genuine shot at victory on their home turf. The Italian Grand Prix will see the Scuderia roll out a fresh power‑unit upgrade for both of its drivers, marking the second such modification to the engine package this season after the FIA granted the team two development windows.
Last year’s performance at Monza was a disappointment for Ferrari, with the team finishing only fourth and sixth. This season, however, the outlook is markedly brighter. The 2026 championship is shaping up to be fiercely contested, and Ferrari remains firmly in the mix for the title.
Hamilton, speaking at a promotional event for House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% in central Milan, addressed the passionate Tifosi crowd, saying, “Monza is always a special place – it’s the fastest race on the calendar. Last year we didn’t have a car capable of fighting for the win. I feel this year we have the machinery to challenge for the top step.” The British driver shares the record of five Italian Grand Prix triumphs with Michael Schumacher, yet his own debut at Monza as a Ferrari driver last season ended only in sixth place amid a challenging first year in the red. He secured his first victory for the team at the Spanish Grand Prix in June and now hopes to add a second win at Ferrari’s home circuit.
The weekend will also feature Mercedes’ championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who will start from the back of the grid due to an engine penalty, adding another layer of intrigue to the race. Hamilton’s confidence was evident when he reflected on his recent success in Barcelona, noting, “The atmosphere in Spain was incredible, and the support from everyone was amazing. I’m hoping this weekend we can fight for a win.” He and teammate Charles Leclerc were greeted with a thunderous ovation from fans gathered at the Palazzo Reale, prompting Hamilton to comment, “It’s wonderful to be here for a second year.
Seeing all of you in such numbers is overwhelming – I truly love the Tifosi.” The upcoming upgrade is the second power‑unit development opportunity Ferrari has received under the new 2026 regulations. These rules allow manufacturers to introduce upgrades if they fall behind the benchmark set by the leading engine supplier, which in this case is Red Bull. After the first Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) review earlier in the year, the FIA determined that Ferrari’s internal combustion performance lagged by more than four percent compared to Red Bull’s benchmark.
Consequently, Ferrari debuted its first upgrade at the Austrian Grand Prix in June and will now implement a second upgrade at Monza for both cars. This means Hamilton and Leclerc will be running their fourth engine of the season, the last one they can use without incurring any grid‑penalty restrictions. Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur explained, “The updated power unit is part of the development opportunities granted under ADUO. It’s a step in the right direction, especially in a year where marginal gains are crucial.
Monza is a demanding circuit, and the field is incredibly close. Our priority is to execute every aspect of the weekend flawlessly, starting from Friday.” He added, “We want to draw extra motivation from the passion of our home crowd and give our Tifosi a strong weekend.” The schedule for the weekend is packed with action. On Thursday, September 3, a drivers’ press conference will kick off at 1 p.m., followed by the Paddock Uncut at 4 p.m.
Friday’s program includes Formula 3 practice at 7.30 a.m., Formula 2 practice at 8.55 a.m., and the first F1 practice session at 11 a.m. (with the session officially starting at 11.30 a.m.). Later in the day, there will be qualifying sessions for F3 and F2, a second F1 practice at 2.35 p.m., and the F1 Show at 4.15 p.m., culminating in the Team Bosses’ press conference at 5.20 p.m.
Saturday, September 5, sees the start of the F3 sprint at 8.25 a.m., followed by the third F1 practice at 11.15 a.m. (session beginning at 11.30 a.m.), the F2 sprint at 1.10 p.m., and the build‑up to qualifying at 2.15 p.m. The main qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix will take place at 3 p.m., with the post‑qualifying analysis featured in Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 5 p.m.
Sunday, September 6, will be the climax of the weekend. The day begins with the F3 feature race at 7.10 a.m., the F2 feature race at 8.40 a.m., and the Porsche Supercup race at 10.40 a.m. After a brief build‑up to the Grand Prix at 12.30 p.m., the main event – the Italian Grand Prix – will start at 2 p.m.
The race will conclude with the chequered flag at 4 p.m., followed by a reaction segment and Ted’s Notebook at 5 p.m. All sessions marked with an asterisk will also be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event. For fans eager to watch the action live, the race will be streamed on Sky Sports F1, and the entire weekend can be accessed via NOW with a flexible, contract‑free subscription. Hamilton’s hopeful outlook, combined with Ferrari’s technical upgrades and the electrifying atmosphere of Monza, sets the stage for what could be a memorable showdown in the heart of Italy.