The Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix takes place from 4 to 6 September 2026 at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, the fastest circuit on the Formula 1 calendar and one of the most revered venues in world motorsport. Round 16 of the 2026 World Championship, this is one of the longest-running events in Formula 1 history and a highlight of the European racing season.
What is the Italian Grand Prix?
The Italian Grand Prix is one of the original rounds of the Formula 1 World Championship, having featured on the calendar every season since the championship’s inception in 1950. Held almost exclusively at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, located within the Royal Villa of Monza park just north of Milan, the race is steeped in tradition and holds a unique place in the sport’s heritage.
Known worldwide as “The Temple of Speed”, Monza rewards outright straight-line performance more than any other circuit on the calendar. Cars are set up with minimal downforce to maximise speed on the long straights, which are punctuated by tight chicanes that demand heavy braking. The current 5.793-kilometre layout features 11 corners and produces some of the highest average speeds seen anywhere in Formula 1.
The race is inseparable from Ferrari, Italy’s most celebrated sporting institution. The passionate Ferrari supporters, known as the Tifosi, transform race weekend into something closer to a football atmosphere than a typical motorsport event. When Ferrari wins at Monza, thousands of fans pour onto the track to celebrate beneath the podium, creating one of the most iconic images in all of sport.
When is the 2026 Italian Grand Prix?
The race weekend runs from Friday 4 September to Sunday 6 September 2026. The Grand Prix itself is scheduled for 15:00 local time (CEST) on Sunday, with a race distance of 53 laps or a maximum duration of two hours.
The weekend follows the standard three-day format: two free practice sessions on Friday, a third practice session and qualifying on Saturday, and the race on Sunday. As one of the traditional European rounds, the Italian Grand Prix typically falls in the first week of September, marking the end of the continental summer swing.
Where is the Italian Grand Prix?
The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza is situated within the grounds of the Parco di Monza, a vast royal park in the city of Monza, approximately 15 kilometres north-east of Milan. Built in 1922, it is the third-oldest purpose-built motor racing circuit in the world, after Brooklands and Indianapolis, and the oldest on the European mainland.
The circuit was constructed in just 110 days and held its first race on 3 September 1922, one week before hosting that year’s Italian Grand Prix. The park setting gives Monza a distinctive character: spectators can walk through ancient woodland between grandstands, and the remains of the old banked oval circuit, last used for F1 in 1961, are still visible alongside the modern track.
Monza is easily accessible from Milan by regional train (approximately 15 minutes from Milano Centrale to Monza station, followed by a shuttle bus or 20-minute walk). Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports serve the region, making it one of the most accessible venues on the calendar for international visitors.
Key Contenders
The 2026 season has introduced a major regulatory overhaul, with new power units delivering a 50:50 split between internal combustion and electrical energy, active aerodynamics, and lighter, smaller cars. At the high-speed Monza circuit, engine performance and straight-line efficiency will be paramount under the new rules.
Max Verstappen won the 2025 Italian Grand Prix in dominant fashion, setting a new lap record of 1:18.792 in qualifying and finishing over 19 seconds clear of second-placed Lando Norris. Verstappen, now racing with a Red Bull-Ford power unit for the first time, will be looking to repeat that performance in 2026.
George Russell and Mercedes are widely considered the early favourites under the new regulations, with Mercedes having invested heavily in the new power unit formula. Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, carry the weight of Tifosi expectation at their home race. Hamilton, a five-time Italian Grand Prix winner (tied with Michael Schumacher for the all-time record), will be desperate to deliver for his new team in front of the Monza faithful.
McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who finished second and third respectively in 2025, remain strong contenders. The new Cadillac team, running Ferrari power units, and Audi’s works entry add further uncertainty to the competitive order.
How to Watch the Italian Grand Prix
In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports F1 provides live coverage of every session across the weekend, with highlights available on Channel 4. In the United States, Apple TV holds exclusive live broadcast rights for the 2026 F1 season, bundled with F1 TV access at no additional cost. Subscriptions start from $12.99 per month or $99 per year. Selected sessions are also available via Yahoo Sports and free streaming service Tubi.
In Italy, the race is broadcast on Sky Italia and TV8. In the Netherlands, Viaplay carries live coverage. F1 TV Pro is available in numerous territories worldwide for fans without a local broadcast deal. The race starts at 15:00 CEST (14:00 BST, 09:00 ET, 23:00 AEST) on Sunday 6 September.
History and Records
The Italian Grand Prix was first held in 1921 and has been a fixture of the World Championship since its inaugural season in 1950. Only the 1980 edition was held away from Monza, at Imola, while the circuit underwent renovation. In total, Monza has hosted more than 70 World Championship races, making it one of the most experienced venues in the sport.
Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton share the record for most Italian Grand Prix victories with five each. Ferrari leads the constructors’ tally with 20 wins at their home race. Among the most iconic moments: the 1971 race was won by Peter Gethin by just 0.01 seconds, the smallest winning margin in F1 history; Sebastian Vettel became the youngest-ever Grand Prix winner here in 2008; and Gerhard Berger’s emotional Ferrari victory in 1988, weeks after the death of team founder Enzo Ferrari, remains one of the most poignant races ever run.
The current race lap record is 1:20.901, set by Lando Norris, while Verstappen’s 2025 qualifying lap of 1:18.792 stands as the outright track record and the fastest average lap speed ever recorded at a World Championship event, at 264.681 km/h.
Tickets and Attendance
Monza accommodates over 100,000 spectators on race day, with total weekend attendance regularly exceeding 300,000. The circuit’s centenary year in 2022 drew a record 337,000 fans across the weekend. General Admission tickets offer access to open grassy areas around the circuit at budget-friendly prices, while grandstand seats at locations such as the Variante del Rettifilo (first chicane), the Curva Parabolica, and the main straight range from approximately 200 to 600 euros for Sunday.
Tickets are available through the official Autodromo Nazionale Monza website (monzanet.it), the Formula 1 ticket store, and authorised resellers including F1 Experiences and Motorsport Tickets. Early booking is recommended, particularly for premium grandstand positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 Italian Grand Prix take place?
The race weekend runs from 4 to 6 September 2026, with the Grand Prix at 15:00 CEST on Sunday 6 September.
Where is the Italian Grand Prix held?
At the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, located in the Parco di Monza approximately 15 kilometres north-east of Milan, Italy.
How can I watch the Italian Grand Prix?
Sky Sports F1 in the UK, Apple TV in the US, Sky Italia and TV8 in Italy, and F1 TV Pro in most other territories worldwide.
Who won the Italian Grand Prix last year?
Max Verstappen won the 2025 Italian Grand Prix for Red Bull, finishing over 19 seconds ahead of Lando Norris.
Why is Monza called the Temple of Speed?
Monza’s long straights and low-downforce setup produce the highest average speeds on the F1 calendar, regularly exceeding 260 km/h per lap.