Italian Grand Prix 2026: Monza Hosts Formula 1 Under the Temple of Speed

Monza's 97th Italian Grand Prix

The Autodromo Nazionale Monza hosts the 2026 Italian Grand Prix from Thursday, 3 September, through race day on Sunday, 6 September, continuing a tradition that dates to 1922. Monza remains one of the oldest and fastest circuits on the Formula 1 calendar, with long straights and the famous Parabolica defining car setup and overtaking strategy.

Formula 1's published timetable confirms first practice on Friday, 4 September, at 12:30 p.m. local time, followed by second practice at 4:00 p.m. Saturday features the final practice session at 12:30 p.m. and qualifying at 4:00 p.m., with the race on Sunday starting at 3:00 p.m. after the drivers' parade and a flypast by the Frecce Tricolori.

Support races and fan zone

The supporting programme includes FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 races across the weekend, plus the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Historic Formula 1 car demonstrations and a Schumacher Legacy Celebration Run are scheduled on Saturday and Sunday, reflecting Monza's deep ties to Italian motorsport history.

Fan zone activities begin on Thursday, 3 September, ahead of the on-track action. Monza routinely draws the largest crowds of the European season — the tifosi turning grandstands into a sea of Ferrari red regardless of where the Scuderia sits in the championship order.

Championship implications in September

The Italian Grand Prix falls at a pivotal point in the 2026 calendar, typically with five or six races remaining after Monza. Teams must balance low-drag aerodynamic packages for the long straights against sufficient downforce for the chicanes, a compromise that often produces surprising qualifying and race results.

For travellers planning attendance, packages covering 3 to 7 September include practice, qualifying, and race sessions, with Milan serving as the primary accommodation hub roughly 20 kilometres from the circuit.