Lewis Hamilton entered the weekend at Monza with a renewed sense of optimism, believing that Ferrari's latest technical package could finally give him a genuine chance to fight for victory on the Italian Grand Prix circuit. The Italian team is set to roll out a fresh power‑unit upgrade for both of its drivers, marking the second such enhancement of the season after the FIA granted them two additional development windows. Last year’s performance at Monza was a disappointment for the Scuderia, with the cars finishing only fourth and sixth, far short of the expectations of the passionate Tifosi.
Looking ahead to 2026, Ferrari appears more confident, buoyed by a season that has remained tightly contested and by the knowledge that they are still in the hunt for the world championship. During a promotional appearance for House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% in central Milan, Hamilton addressed the crowd of fervent supporters. "Monza is always a special place – it’s the fastest race on the calendar and the atmosphere is electric," he said.
"Last year we simply didn’t have the machinery to compete at the front. This year, I feel we have a car that can truly challenge for the win." Hamilton shares the record of five Italian Grand Prix victories with Michael Schumacher, yet his own debut for Ferrari at Monza last season resulted in a modest sixth‑place finish, reflecting the difficulties he faced during his first year in the red suit. Since then, he secured his maiden win for Ferrari at the Spanish Grand Prix in June and now hopes to add a second triumph on home soil, even as Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli will be forced to start from the back of the grid after incurring an engine penalty.
The upgraded power unit represents Ferrari’s second opportunity to improve the internal combustion side of their hybrid system this year. Under the new 2026 regulations, manufacturers are allowed to introduce upgrades if they fall behind the benchmark set by the leading engine supplier – in this case, Red Bull Powertrains. An earlier assessment earlier in the season found Ferrari lagging by more than four per cent, triggering the first Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunity (ADUO). That first upgrade was introduced at the Austrian Grand Prix in June, and the upcoming Monza package will be the second, applied to both the Charles Leclerc and Hamilton cars.
These upgrades mean that both drivers will be running their fourth power unit of the season, the final one they can use without attracting grid‑penalty points. Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur explained, "The updated power unit is part of the ADUO allowances and is a step in the right direction. In a season where marginal gains are decisive, we need to extract every ounce of performance, especially at a demanding circuit like Monza where the field is exceptionally close." He added that the team intends to harness the enthusiasm of the home crowd, stating, "We want to draw extra motivation from the passion of our Tifosi and deliver a strong weekend for them." Hamilton also reflected on his recent success in Barcelona, saying, "Barcelona was amazing – the support from everybody was fantastic. I’m trailing Antonelli by 59 points, but I hope this weekend we can fight for a win." The British driver and Leclerc were later greeted with a thunderous ovation from the spectators gathered at the Palazzo Reale, prompting Hamilton to remark, "It’s incredible to be here for the second year in a row.
Seeing all of you is overwhelming – I love the Tifosi." Beyond the technical storyline, the weekend’s schedule is packed with support series and fan‑focused events. Thursday, September 3, will feature a drivers’ press conference at 1 p.m., followed by the uncut paddock show at 4 p.m.
Friday’s program includes Formula 3 and Formula 2 practice sessions, the first F1 practice at 11 a.m., and qualifying sessions for the junior categories, culminating in the F1 team‑boss press conference at 5:20 p.m. Saturday will host the F3 sprint, the third F1 practice, the F2 sprint, and the crucial F1 qualifying session at 3 p.m., with post‑qualifying analysis from Ted’s Qualifying Notebook.
Sunday’s itinerary features the F3 and F2 feature races, the Porsche Supercup, and the main event – the Italian Grand Prix – starting at 2 p.m., followed by a post‑race reaction segment and another edition of Ted’s Notebook. For viewers, the race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW without a long‑term contract. Fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience. In summary, Hamilton’s confidence stems from a combination of Ferrari’s fresh engine upgrade, the team’s determination to capitalize on the ADUO allowances, and the unrivaled energy of the Italian fans.
While the competition remains fierce and the margins at Monza are razor‑thin, the Scuderia hopes that the new power unit will close the performance gap to Red Bull and give both drivers the tools they need to challenge for the top step of the podium. The stage is set, the fans are ready, and the world will be watching to see whether Ferrari’s technical gamble pays off and whether Hamilton can finally add another Italian Grand Prix victory to his illustrious career.