Italian Grand Prix 2026: Full Race Preview
The roar of Formula 1 engines will return to Monza this weekend as the legendary Temple of Speed hosts the 2026 Italian Grand Prix. Set among the trees of Monza Park, the circuit is one of the most historic venues on the F1 calendar and remains synonymous with high speeds, heavy braking and passionate support from the Tifosi.
The 2026 championship arrives in Italy with the title battle still developing. Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship, while Mercedes team-mate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton are tied on points behind him.
Lando Norris has also strengthened his position after winning the Dutch Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen will be looking to bounce back after a difficult weekend at Zandvoort.
With long straights, low-downforce setups and several major braking zones, Monza offers plenty of opportunities for overtaking and slipstream battles. Read on for the key times, circuit details and drivers to watch as the Italian Grand Prix gets underway.
When Is The Italian Grand Prix 2026?
The 2026 Italian Grand Prix takes place on Sunday, 6th September at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. Formula 1 action begins on Friday, 4th September with two practice sessions, followed by final practice and qualifying on Saturday, 5th September.
The schedule is:
- Friday, 4th September: Free Practice 1 at 12:30 local time
- Friday, 4th September: Free Practice 2 at 16:00 local time
- Saturday, 5th September: Free Practice 3 at 12:30 local time
- Saturday, 5th September: Qualifying at 16:00 local time
- Sunday, 6th September: Grand Prix at 15:00 local time
For fans travelling to Lombardy, the full weekend offers several opportunities to experience the atmosphere at one of Formula 1’s most iconic venues. For those watching from home, qualifying and the Grand Prix provide the main competitive highlights, with teams using practice to refine their cars for Monza’s unique demands.
Next, the exact location and character of the track explain why Monza produces such distinctive racing.
Where Is The Italian Grand Prix Held?
The Italian Grand Prix is held at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, located inside Monza Park in northern Italy, close to the city of Monza and around 20 kilometres north of Milan. The circuit was constructed in 1922 and has been a central part of Italian motorsport history for more than a century. It hosted the inaugural Formula 1 World Championship race in 1950.
Monza is 5.793 kilometres long and features 11 turns. Its layout is dominated by long straights, high-speed sections and heavy braking zones, including the Rettifilo chicane, the Lesmo corners and the Ascari chicane. The final corner, Curva Alboreto, is better known to many fans by its former name, Parabolica.
The circuit generally favours low-downforce aerodynamic configurations, helping cars reach very high speeds on the straights while placing significant demands on braking and traction. Slipstreaming can be particularly important, with drivers able to use the long run towards Turn 1 to challenge for position.
Monza is also famous for its passionate Ferrari support. The Tifosi create one of the most distinctive atmospheres on the F1 calendar, particularly when Ferrari is fighting near the front.
What Time Is The Italian Grand Prix?
The 2026 Italian Grand Prix is scheduled to start at 15:00 local time in Monza on Sunday, 6th September.
For viewers in the UK, this means a 14:00 BST start. Italy is one hour ahead of the UK during the September race weekend, making the time conversion straightforward.
The official weekend timetable lists the Grand Prix as a 53-lap race, with a maximum scheduled duration of 120 minutes. As always, the actual finishing time can be affected by safety cars, red flags or other incidents.
Anyone planning to watch live should check their broadcaster’s schedule on race day for any last-minute changes.
What Time Is The Italian Grand Prix Qualifying?
Qualifying for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix is scheduled for Saturday, 5th September at 16:00 local time. UK viewers can watch qualifying from 15:00 BST.
Before qualifying, the final free practice session takes place at 12:30 local time. Qualifying will then determine the starting order for Sunday’s 53-lap Grand Prix, making it an important opportunity for teams to demonstrate their one-lap pace at Monza.
Who Won The Italian Grand Prix 2025?
The 2025 Italian Grand Prix was won by Max Verstappen for Red Bull Racing. Verstappen started from pole position and went on to beat McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finishing fourth.
Verstappen’s victory was his third Italian Grand Prix win, following his victories at Monza in 2022 and 2023. The result also continued Red Bull’s strong recent record at the circuit.
For 2026, Verstappen will return to the venue as defending race winner, although his current championship position is more difficult than it was last year. The Red Bull driver is sixth in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship on 112 points, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli arrives at his home race with 242 points.
How Many Laps Is The Italian Grand Prix?
The 2026 Italian Grand Prix is scheduled to run for 53 laps around Monza, covering a total race distance of 306.72 kilometres. Each lap is 5.793 kilometres long.
The 53-lap distance has been used for recent Italian Grands Prix and reflects the circuit’s combination of high average speeds and relatively short lap times. At Monza, teams must balance outright speed with tyre management, fuel consumption and the demands of repeated heavy braking zones.
Strategy will also be important. Official pre-race analysis suggests that tyre degradation is not expected to be severe enough to dominate the race, with a one-stop strategy looking like the most likely approach.
However, overtaking opportunities are plentiful, meaning teams may have several ways to react to changing circumstances during the race.
Safety cars and red flags can naturally alter those plans, so teams will need to remain flexible throughout the 53 laps.
Who Are The Favourites To Win The Italian Grand Prix?
Kimi Antonelli arrives at his home Grand Prix as the 2026 Drivers’ Championship leader and therefore deserves to be among the key contenders. The Mercedes driver has 242 points, 59 clear of both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who are tied on 183 points.
Lando Norris is another major contender. The McLaren driver won the Dutch Grand Prix immediately before Monza and has claimed back-to-back victories since the summer break. He currently sits fourth in the championship on 159 points and will be looking to close the gap to the drivers ahead of him.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc should also attract plenty of attention for Ferrari, particularly given the team’s strong connection with the Monza crowd. Hamilton has won the Italian Grand Prix five times, while Leclerc has celebrated victories at Monza in 2019 and 2024.
Max Verstappen remains a driver to watch after winning at Monza in 2025, although Red Bull will be hoping for a stronger weekend following Verstappen’s retirement at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Current form, qualifying performance, grid position, tyre strategy and race conditions will all influence the competitive picture. If considering any wagering, only participate if you are aged 18 or over, set sensible limits and seek support if gambling becomes a concern. Betting involves financial risk, and past performance does not guarantee future results.
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