The 2026 Formula 1 season continues this weekend as Monza hosts Round 13 on the calendar, the Italian Grand Prix. Free Practice 1 and 2 will take place on Friday, September 4, followed by Free Practice 3 and Qualifying on Saturday, September 5, and the Grand Prix itself on Sunday, September 6. For more details, visit Formula 1.

Vital Statistics

• First Grand Prix – 1950
• Track Length – 5.793 km
• Lap Record – 1m 20.901s, Lando Norris, McLaren, 2025
• Most Pole Positions – Lewis Hamilton (7)
• Most Wins – Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton (5)
• Trivia – The Italian Grand Prix has featured on the F1 calendar since the inaugural 1950 season, with Monza home to every race apart from 1980, when Imola played host.
• Pole Run to Turn 1 Braking Point – 476 metres
• Overtakes Completed in 2025 – 47
• Safety Car Probability – 50%*
• Virtual Safety Car Probability – 38%*
• Pit Stop Time Loss – 24.14 seconds

*From the last eight races at Monza

The Driver’s Verdict

Jolyon Palmer, former Renault F1 driver, commented on the unique challenges of Monza, stating, “It’s low downforce and all begins with braking into the chicane for Sector 1 and getting your car to stop as nicely as you can for Turn 1 – that’s the key.” He emphasized the importance of braking stability and traction, particularly at the First Chicane and Ascari, as crucial for gaining an advantage on this high-speed circuit.

Tyre and Strategy Insight

Pirelli’s weekend preview highlighted that the 5.793 km circuit, featuring 11 corners, is one of the fastest on the Formula 1 calendar. The compounds available this weekend will be the C3 (hard), C4 (medium), and C5 (soft). Team simulations predict lap times around two seconds quicker than last year, with a one-stop strategy appearing to be the most likely option for Sunday.

Current Form

Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers’ standings as he arrives at his home race weekend, holding a 59-point margin over Mercedes teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. Antonelli finished second at the Dutch Grand Prix, but the Silver Arrows are looking to improve their pace to stay competitive. Meanwhile, Lando Norris of McLaren aims to extend his winning streak after claiming victory in the last two races.

Red Bull Racing, coming off a challenging outing at Zandvoort, will look to bounce back at Monza, where Max Verstappen took victory last year. The midfield battle remains tight, with teams like Alpine and Aston Martin looking to capitalize on recent performances.

Iconic Moment

Monza has a rich history in Formula 1, with unforgettable moments such as Sebastian Vettel’s debut pole position and race victory in 2008. The young driver, racing for Toro Rosso, mastered the rain-soaked conditions to secure a remarkable win, marking the beginning of a stellar career that would see him achieve four world titles.