In the opening practice session for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Charles Leclerc claimed the fastest lap, followed closely by his teammate Lewis Hamilton, delivering a dominant one‑two for Ferrari after the team unveiled a new engine upgrade. Leclerc clocked a lap time of 1:23.008, which placed him 0.173 seconds ahead of Hamilton, while Mercedes driver George Russell completed the top three, finishing a tenth of a second behind the British driver.
The session also highlighted the challenges faced by world‑championship contender Kimi Antonelli, who, after surpassing his allocated quota of power‑unit components for the season, will have to start the race from the back of the grid. Despite this handicap, Antonelli managed to secure fifth place for Mercedes, showcasing the underlying speed of his car. McLaren’s Lando Norris, who has won the previous two races and is eager to defend his title, finished sixth, trailing Antonelli by a single position.
In the championship standings, Antonelli currently leads both Russell and Hamilton by 59 points, with Norris sitting 83 points behind the Italian driver in fourth place. The practice results underscore the shifting dynamics in the title fight as the season approaches its climax.
Ferrari chose Monza, their home circuit, to roll out the second of the two engine upgrades they are permitted to use this year. The decision came after the FIA’s performance audit revealed that Ferrari’s power unit lagged behind the offerings from Red Bull and Mercedes.
In addition to the power‑unit enhancement, the Scuderia introduced a suite of chassis modifications specifically tailored for the high‑speed demands of the Monza layout. These aerodynamic tweaks were designed to reduce drag and increase stability on the long straights, giving the team a competitive edge. The impact of the upgrades was evident, as both Leclerc’s and Hamilton’s quickest laps were set on the medium‑compound tyres, which are generally considered a balanced choice between grip and durability. In contrast, Russell’s best time came on the theoretically faster soft tyre, suggesting that the Mercedes may have hidden performance potential that was not fully displayed during the session, especially given Antonelli’s lack of pressure to qualify well due to his predetermined back‑of‑the‑grid start.
Red Bull’s Liam Lawson delivered an encouraging fourth‑place performance, driving for a Red Bull entry that did not feature either of the team’s official 2026 drivers. Lawson was substituting for Isack Hadjar, who missed the weekend after sustaining a wrist injury during the summer break.
Max Verstappen also participated in the session, allowing four drivers to make way for emerging talent. Among the rookies, Ayumu Iwasa finished 17th in Verstappen’s Red Bull, while Paul Aron emerged as the highest‑placed newcomer, securing 10th place for Alpine.
Cadillac’s Colton Herta saw his opportunity to drive for the team cut short by a technical issue, and British driver Luke Browning placed 15th for Williams. The weekend schedule is packed with support series and additional content for fans.
On Friday, September 4, the day begins with the Formula 3 qualifying session at 12:55 pm, followed by Formula 2 qualifying at 1:50 pm, and the second practice session for the Italian Grand Prix at 2:35 pm. The afternoon continues with the F1 Show at 3:00 pm and the Team Bosses’ Press Conference at 4:15 pm, culminating in the final segment of the day at 5:20 pm. Saturday, September 5, kicks off with the Formula 3 sprint race at 8:25 am, then the third practice session for the Grand Prix at 11:15 am, which officially starts at 11:30 am.
The Formula 2 sprint follows at 1:10 pm, and the build‑up to qualifying begins at 2:15 pm. The main qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix takes place at 3:00 pm, with a post‑qualifying analysis in "Ted’s Qualifying Notebook" at 5:00 pm. Sunday, September 6, is the race day.
The schedule starts with the Formula 3 feature race at 7:10 am, the Formula 2 feature race at 8:40 am, and the Porsche Supercup race at 10:40 am. The Grand Prix build‑up begins at 12:30 pm, leading to the start of the Italian Grand Prix at 2:00 pm.
The race concludes with the chequered flag at 4:00 pm, followed by a reaction segment and "Ted’s Notebook" at 5:00 pm. The qualifying session is also broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event.
Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through NOW, offering a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time. This provides a convenient way for viewers worldwide to follow Ferrari’s home race, the latest developments in the championship battle, and the performances of both seasoned veterans and promising newcomers across the Formula 1 weekend.