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 Grand Prix approaches. The seven‑time world champion, who joined Scuderia Ferrari for the 2026 season, has already shown marked improvement, securing his inaugural victory for the team at the Barcelona Grand Prix in June. That win kept his championship hopes alive, leaving him 59 points behind Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli with eleven races still to run.
Hamilton’s chances at Monza have received an unexpected boost thanks to Antonelli’s penalty, which forces the young Mercedes driver to start from the back of the grid after exceeding his allotted engine components. The grid shuffle could open a window for Hamilton to capitalize on his improved pace and the recent technical upgrades Ferrari has introduced.
When asked what a 107th career win—potentially his first with Ferrari—would mean to him, Hamilton replied, "I’ve really thought about this weekend and the sheer magnitude of the concept that I’m coming to this Grand Prix. I didn’t even realise I was equal with Michael Schumacher on five Monza victories until I looked at the numbers." He went on to explain that the prospect of becoming the first Black driver to stand on the top step of the podium for Ferrari in Italy adds a historic layer to his personal ambitions. "The idea of breaking new ground is thrilling," Hamilton said. "Winning at Monza for the first time with Ferrari is something I saw Charles Leclerc achieve in 2019 when I shared the podium with him.
To do 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 thoughts have been running through my mind all week." He also highlighted the pressure that comes with such a historic opportunity.
"The pressure is high. You want to deliver for the team, for the people at the factory, for the Tifosi who travel in massive numbers and bring unmatched passion. My mum is here this weekend; I don’t think she’s ever been to Monza, especially on a Ferrari weekend, and I want her to experience that excitement and maybe bring a bit of lucky dust with her." Ferrari’s technical department has rolled out the second engine upgrade of the season, a development that Hamilton believes could narrow the gap to Mercedes, whose power unit remains the benchmark.
"Every little bit helps," he noted. "We’ve been losing about four tenths of a second per lap on short circuits, which is a huge deficit over a race distance. That shortfall has persisted throughout the year." Hamilton praised the work being done at the Maranello factory.
"I’m really proud when I return to the factory and see how hard everyone is working. The atmosphere is focused, and the enthusiasm is palpable. Compared with last year, we now have a clear north star—a defined goal that guides our efforts. Last season felt directionless; we were doing the best we could without a concrete target.
This year, we know exactly what we need to achieve." He added, "The team has done a tremendous job pulling together and delivering incremental improvements. This upgrade isn’t the whole solution, but it’s a step forward. Seeing parts arrive each weekend, adding to the car, is exciting.
I still firmly believe we have what it takes to win." Beyond the on‑track action, the weekend schedule is packed with support races and fan events. Friday begins with 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 sessions for F3 and F2 follow, and the day concludes with the F1 Show at 4:15 pm and a team bosses’ press conference at 5:20 pm. Saturday features the F3 sprint at 8:25 am, the third F1 practice session at 11:30 am, an F2 sprint at 1:10 pm, and the build‑up to the main qualifying session at 2:15 pm, with the official Italian Grand Prix qualifying taking place at 3:00 pm.
The day wraps up with Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 5:00 pm. Sunday’s program includes the F3 feature race at 7:10 am, the F2 feature race at 8:40 am, and the Porsche Supercup race at 10:40 am. The Grand Prix build‑up starts at 12:30 pm, followed by the Italian Grand Prix itself at 2:00 pm. The race will finish with the chequered flag at 4:00 pm, after which the post‑race reaction and Ted’s Notebook will air at 5:00 pm.
All major sessions will also be available on Sky Sports Main Event. For fans worldwide, the Italian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options through NOW that allow cancellation at any time, ensuring flexible access to the historic race weekend.
Hamilton’s blend of personal ambition, historic significance, and technical optimism sets the stage for a compelling narrative at Monza, where a win could rewrite both his legacy and a broader chapter in Formula 1 history.