Lewis Hamilton has been reflecting on the sheer significance of possibly becoming the first Black driver to win a home Grand Prix for Ferrari as the Italian Grand Prix approaches at Monza. The seven‑time world champion, who is now enjoying a markedly better second season in the scarlet colors, secured his inaugural victory for the Scuderia in Barcelona back in June. That win has kept his championship hopes alive, leaving him 59 points behind Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli with eleven races still to run. Hamilton’s chance of topping the podium in Monza received an extra boost after it was confirmed that Antonelli will have to start from the back of the grid due to a penalty for exceeding his allocated engine components.
The penalty effectively hands Hamilton a clearer path to the front, although the pressure of a historic achievement still looms large. When asked what a 107th career Grand Prix win would mean to him, Hamilton admitted that he had spent the week contemplating the magnitude of the moment. "I was thinking about how huge it would be to stand on the top step at Monza and realized I’m now level with Michael Schumacher on five Monza victories," he said. "But the thought of being the first, of breaking new ground, is something that really sticks with you." He went on to recall watching Charles Leclerc win at Monza in 2019 while he himself was on the podium beside the young Italian.
"Seeing that win from the side was special, but doing it myself, in those colours, would be phenomenal," Hamilton explained. "If it happens, I could become the only Black driver ever to win for Ferrari on Italian soil, perhaps ever in the sport’s history. Those thoughts have been swirling in my mind all week." The driver also highlighted the unique pressure that comes with a Ferrari home race. The Tifosi, the passionate Italian fans, fill the grandstands in massive numbers, and the entire factory team feels the weight of expectation.
"You want to deliver for the people who build the car, for the fans who travel from all over Italy, and for the legends who have raced here before," Hamilton said. He added a personal touch, noting that his mother would be attending the event for the first time, hoping she could soak up the atmosphere and perhaps bring a little "lucky dust" of her own. On the technical side, Ferrari’s recent engine upgrade could play a crucial role. The team announced on Wednesday that they had taken advantage of the second of two permitted power‑unit upgrades for the 2026 season.
Throughout the year, Ferrari’s engine has been regarded as the relative weak point compared to Mercedes, which also supplies McLaren. Hamilton acknowledged that every incremental gain matters: "We were losing about four‑tenths of a second per lap on short circuits earlier in the year.
That adds up to a huge deficit over a race distance." He praised the work being done at the Maranello factory, saying, "I’m proud when I walk back into the building and see how hard everyone is working. The atmosphere is focused, enthusiastic, and there’s a clear direction now. Last year we lacked a north‑star, but this season we have a defined target and we’re chipping away at the gap each weekend." Hamilton believes the upgrades are a step forward, even if they don’t erase the performance gap entirely.
"Seeing the car improve bit by bit each race is exciting. It shows we’re moving in the right direction, and I still firmly believe we have the pace to win," he affirmed. The weekend schedule is packed with support series and events.
On Friday, September 4, the day 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 F1 Show airs at 4:15 pm, leading into the team bosses’ press conference. Saturday, September 5, features an F3 sprint race at 8:25 am, the third F1 practice session at 11:30 am, and an F2 sprint at 1:10 pm. The afternoon builds toward the Italian Grand Prix qualifying, which starts at 3 pm, with a post‑qualifying analysis segment at 5 pm.
Sunday, September 6, hosts 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 day’s main events commence with the Grand Prix build‑up at 12:30 pm, the race itself at 2 pm, and the chequered flag ceremony at 4 pm, followed by post‑race reaction and a final commentary segment at 5 pm.
All of this action will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW without a long‑term contract, allowing fans to cancel at any time. The combination of a historic personal milestone, a revitalised Ferrari package, and the electrifying atmosphere of Monza sets the stage for what could be a landmark weekend for Hamilton and the sport as a whole.