Lewis Hamilton entered the weekend at Monza with a renewed sense of optimism, believing that Ferrari now possess a car capable of challenging for victory at their home Italian Grand Prix. The event is set to feature a fresh power‑unit upgrade for both of the Scuderia's drivers, marking the second such enhancement this season after the FIA granted them two additional development opportunities. Ferrari's performance at last year's Monza was underwhelming, with the team finishing only fourth and sixth.
This season, however, the Italian outfit is aiming higher, buoyed by a more competitive championship landscape and a realistic shot at the world title. During a House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% gathering in central Milan, Hamilton addressed a sea of Tifosi and said, "Monza is always a thrill – it’s the fastest circuit on the calendar.
Last year we didn’t have the machinery to fight for the win, but I think this year we finally have a car that can contend." Hamilton shares the record of five Italian Grand Prix victories with Michael Schumacher, yet his own debut at Monza as a Ferrari driver last season yielded only a sixth‑place finish, reflecting the difficulties he faced in his first year with the Scuderia. He secured his maiden win for Ferrari at the Spanish Grand Prix in June and now hopes to add a second triumph on the iconic high‑speed track, while Mercedes champion Kimi Antonelli will have to start from the back of the grid after receiving an engine penalty. The Briton, who trails Antonelli by 59 points in the drivers' championship, reflected on his recent success in Barcelona, noting, "The atmosphere in Spain was incredible, the support from everyone was fantastic.
I hope this weekend we can fight for a win at Monza." Both Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc received a thunderous ovation from the fans gathered at the Palazzo Reale. Hamilton expressed his appreciation, saying, "It’s amazing to be here for a second year in a row.
Seeing all of you in the stands is overwhelming – I love the Tifosi and their passion for Ferrari." The forthcoming upgrade is the second power‑unit modification Ferrari has introduced this year. Under the new 2026 regulations, engine manufacturers may implement upgrades if they fall behind on internal‑combustion performance. After an Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) review earlier in the season, the FIA determined that Ferrari's power unit was more than four percent slower than the benchmark set by Red Bull. Consequently, Ferrari rolled out its first upgrade at the Austrian Grand Prix in June and will now apply a second upgrade at their home race in Monza, fitting both cars with the new specification.
This development means that Hamilton and Leclerc will be running their fourth engine of the season, the last one they can use before any grid‑penalty thresholds are reached. Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur explained, "The updated power unit is part of the development opportunities granted under ADUO. It represents a step in the right direction, and as we know this year is all about marginal gains. Monza is a demanding circuit, and the field is extremely close.
Our priority is to execute every aspect of the weekend flawlessly, starting on 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 across the Formula 1 support categories. 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, September 4, features F3 practice at 7.30 a.m., F2 practice at 8.55 a.m., and the first Italian Grand Prix practice session at 11 a.m. (starting at 11.30 p.m. local time).
The day continues with F3 qualifying at 12.55 p.m., F2 qualifying at 1.50 p.m., and the second practice session for the Grand Prix at 2.35 p.m., before the F1 Show at 4.15 p.m. and the team bosses' press conference at 5.20 p.m.
Saturday, September 5, begins with an F3 sprint at 8.25 a.m., followed by the third practice session for the Grand Prix at 11.15 a.m. (starting at 11:30 a.m.).
The F2 sprint takes place at 1.10 p.m., and the build‑up to qualifying starts at 2.15 p.m., leading into the Italian Grand Prix qualifying at 3 p.m., with Ted’s Qualifying Notebook broadcast at 5 p.m. Sunday, September 6, will see 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., followed by a build‑up to the Grand Prix at 12.30 p.m.
The main event – the Italian Grand Prix – starts at 2 p.m., with the chequered flag and post‑race reaction at 4 p.m., and Ted’s Notebook concluding the coverage at 5 p.m. Fans can stream every session live via Sky Sports F1, with the option to watch through NOW without a contract and cancel at any time. The Italian Grand Prix promises to be a pivotal moment for Ferrari, as the team seeks to capitalize on the new power‑unit upgrade, the fervent support of the Tifosi, and the high‑speed demands of Monza to challenge for a win and keep their championship hopes alive.