Lewis Hamilton entered the weekend at Monza with a sense of optimism, believing that Ferrari now possess a car capable of challenging for victory at their home Italian Grand Prix. The Italian round will also see the Scuderia roll out a fresh engine upgrade for both of its drivers, marking the second power‑unit development package the team has been allowed to introduce this season under the FIA's Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) framework.
The backdrop to this upgrade is a mixed bag of recent history for Ferrari at the famed Monza circuit. Last year the Italian giants endured a rather underwhelming performance, finishing fourth and sixth, far short of the podium finishes that the Tifosi expect from their beloved team. Yet the outlook for 2026 looks brighter. The new regulations governing the 2026 power units have reshaped the competitive landscape, and Ferrari, still firmly in the hunt for the world championship, see this upgrade as a crucial step toward closing the performance gap that has lingered throughout the season.
Hamilton made his remarks during a promotional event for House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% held in central Milan, surrounded by a sea of enthusiastic Tifosi. "Monza is always special – it's the fastest race on the calendar and the atmosphere is electric," the seven‑time world champion said. "Last year we simply didn't have the machinery to fight for the win.
This year, I feel we have a car that can compete for the top step of the podium." The British driver shares the record for the most Italian Grand Prix victories – five – with Michael Schumacher, but his own debut for Ferrari at Monza in 2025 ended only in sixth place, reflecting the challenges he faced during his first season in the red car. Since then, Hamilton secured his first win for Ferrari at the Spanish Grand Prix in June, and now he is eager to add a second triumph on Italian soil.
The weekend also carries an extra narrative thread: Mercedes' championship leader Kimi Antonelli will be forced to start from the back of the grid after receiving an engine penalty, potentially opening up strategic opportunities for the title contenders. In addition to the on‑track action, fans can stream every Formula 1 session via the NOW platform, with a full schedule and viewing guide provided by Sky Sports. The Italian Grand Prix programme includes practice sessions across the junior categories (F3 and F2), qualifying rounds, and the main race, all punctuated by press conferences and special features such as "The F1 Show" and "Ted's Qualifying Notebook." Hamilton also reflected on his recent success in Barcelona, saying, "Barcelona was amazing – the support from everyone was fantastic. I’m trailing Antonelli by 59 points, but I hope this weekend we can fight for a win." The driver’s enthusiasm was met with a thunderous ovation when he and his teammate Charles Leclerc appeared at the Palazzo Reale for the event.
"It’s incredible to be here for the second year in a row, and to see so many of you – the Tifosi – is overwhelming. I love the passion you bring," Hamilton added.
The engine upgrade itself is a direct result of Ferrari being identified as lagging more than four per cent behind the benchmark set by Red Bull’s power unit, according to the ADUO assessment earlier in the year. The first upgrade was introduced at the Austrian Grand Prix in June, and the forthcoming Monza package will be the second.
Under the new 2026 regulations, manufacturers are permitted to make such upgrades if they fall behind on internal combustion engine performance, allowing teams to chase marginal gains that can be decisive on a high‑speed circuit like Monza. Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur explained the significance of the development: "We are rolling out an updated power unit as part of the ADUO opportunities.
It’s a step in the right direction, and this season is all about extracting marginal gains. Monza is a demanding track, and the field is extremely close.
Our priority is to execute every element of the weekend perfectly, from Friday onward." Vasseur also highlighted the motivational boost that comes from the home crowd: "We want to draw extra energy from the passion of our fans and deliver a strong performance for the Tifosi." From a technical standpoint, the upgrade means both Hamilton and Leclerc will be on their fourth engine of the season, which is the last unit they can use before any grid‑penalty thresholds are reached. The new power unit is expected to deliver improved power delivery and better reliability, both crucial factors on Monza’s long straights and high‑speed corners. The weekend schedule is packed.
Thursday, September 3, will feature a drivers’ press conference at 1 p.m. and a "Paddock Uncut" segment at 4 p.m. Friday, September 4, includes F3 and F2 practice sessions, the first F1 practice session (starting at 11:30 a.m.), qualifying sessions for the junior categories, and the F1 Show at 4:15 p.m., followed by a team‑bosses press conference. Saturday, September 5, will host the F3 sprint, the third F1 practice session, the F2 sprint, and the crucial Italian Grand Prix qualifying at 3 p.m., accompanied by Ted’s Qualifying Notebook.
Finally, Sunday, September 6, will see the F3 and F2 feature races, the Porsche Supercup race, and the main event – the Italian Grand Prix – beginning at 2 p.m., with post‑race analysis and reaction segments later in the afternoon. All of this will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available via NOW for viewers who prefer an online platform without a long‑term contract.
The combination of a refreshed Ferrari engine, Hamilton’s determination, and the fervent support of the Tifosi sets the stage for an exhilarating showdown at one of Formula 1’s most iconic venues.