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 at Monza approaches. The seven‑time world champion, who is enjoying a markedly better second season with the Scuderia, secured his inaugural Ferrari victory in Barcelona in June, a win that has kept him in the fight for the championship.
He now trails Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli by 59 points with eleven races left on the calendar. Hamilton's chances at Monza have received an extra boost thanks to Antonelli's grid penalty, which will see the young Mercedes driver start from the back after exceeding his allotted engine components. The penalty not only reshapes the starting order but also opens a window for Hamilton to capitalize on his improved pace. When asked what a potential 107th career win would mean, Hamilton admitted he had spent the week contemplating the sheer scale of the achievement.
"I was thinking about the magnitude of the concept of coming to this Grand Prix and realized I was now level with Michael Schumacher on five Monza victories," he said. He added that the prospect of becoming the first Black driver to stand atop the podium for Ferrari in Italy was a thought that repeatedly crossed his mind.
"Winning at Monza for the first time with Ferrari is something I watched Charles [Leclerc] do in 2019 when I was on the podium with him," Hamilton recalled. "Doing it myself would be phenomenal. If it happens, I could become the only Black driver in history to win for Ferrari on Italian soil. Those ideas have been swirling in my head all week." The pressure, Hamilton noted, is immense.
He feels a responsibility not only to the team but also to the legion of Tifosi who travel in massive numbers to support their beloved marque. "The passion of the fans is unmatched, and I want to deliver for them as well as for the engineers and mechanics who have poured their hearts into this car," he explained. He also mentioned a personal touch: his mother will be at Monza for the first time, and he hopes she can soak up the atmosphere of a Ferrari‑centric weekend and perhaps bring a bit of luck. Ferrari's technical fortunes have also improved recently.
The team announced on Wednesday that they have installed the second of two engine upgrades permitted for the 2026 season. This development addresses what has been a persistent weakness: a power unit that has lagged behind Mercedes, which also supplies McLaren. Hamilton praised the upgrade, noting that even on short circuits the gap had been as large as four‑tenths of a second per lap, a deficit that has haunted the Scuderia all year. "Every little bit helps," Hamilton said.
"When I visit the factory I see how hard everyone is working. The atmosphere is focused and enthusiastic.
Last year we lacked a clear north‑star; we were doing our best but without a precise target. This year we have a clear direction, and the team knows exactly what we need to achieve." He continued, "The engineers have done a tremendous job pulling together and delivering incremental improvements each weekend. It’s not the whole gap solved, but it’s a step forward. Seeing new parts arrive and being added to the car is exciting, and I still firmly believe we have what it takes to win." Beyond the race itself, the weekend schedule is packed with support categories.
Friday will feature Formula 3 practice at 7:30 am, followed by Formula 2 practice at 8:55 am, and the first F1 practice session at 11:30 am. Qualifying for the junior series will take place mid‑day, and the F1 Show will run at 4:15 pm before the team bosses' press conference at 5:20 pm.
Saturday's agenda includes the F3 sprint race, a third F1 practice session, the F2 sprint, and the build‑up to the main qualifying session, which starts at 3 pm. The day concludes with Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 5 pm, offering analysis and predictions. Sunday is the climax: the F3 feature race, the F2 feature race, and the Porsche Supercup race will precede the Grand Prix build‑up. The Italian Grand Prix itself kicks off at 2 pm, with the chequered flag and post‑race reaction slated for 4 pm, followed by another edition of Ted's Notebook at 5 pm.
All of this will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW without a contract and the option to cancel at any time. The event promises not only a chance for Hamilton to chase a historic milestone but also an opportunity for Ferrari to demonstrate that their recent technical upgrades are beginning to close the performance gap to Mercedes, setting the stage for an exhilarating showdown at the legendary Monza circuit.