F1 heads to the iconic Monza circuit this weekend for the Italian Grand Prix and round 13 of the 2026 season.
Kimi Antonelli, who is expected to take a grid penalty at his home race, leads the world championship standings by 59 points to Mercedes teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, with the Italian having finished second at the last race in Zandvoort.
PREVIEW: Why Monza could spark an F1 title fightback
At the Dutch GP, reigning F1 world champion Lando Norris won his second straight grand prix with a composed drive at Zandvoort, after recording a sublime pole position. Norris is now fourth in the drivers’ standings, 83 points behind Antonelli.
Ferrari will be hoping to land a victory at their traditional home race, with Charles Leclerc a two-time winner in Monza and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who crashed out on the first lap last time out, will be looking to bounce back.
Follow live coverage of the Italian Grand Prix with The Independent
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F1 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- Round 13 of the 2026 F1 season takes place in Monza
- Charles Leclerc quickest in FP1; George Russell quickest in FP2
- Kimi Antonelli has a 59-point lead but has taken a grid penalty at his home race
- Lewis Hamilton paid tribute to Michael Schumacher ahead of his home race
- PREVIEW: Why Kimi Antonelli has F1 triumph in his sights – but Monza could spark a fightback
Start times in Monza:
16:15 , Kieran JacksonTimes BST
Saturday 5 September
- Free practice 3: 11:30am
- Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 6 September
- Race: 2pm
George Russell quickest in FP2
16:05 , Kieran JacksonRussell keeps top spot with that 0.120 second gap to Charles Leclerc, with Kimi Antonelli in third.
4-10: Norris, Hamilton, Piastri, Lindblad, Beaman, Verstappen, Tsunoda
Sets it up nicely for qualifying tomorrow!
Final race runs
15:58 , Kieran JacksonMost on hard tyres to conclude the session as the sun sets over Monza.
Russell remains on top, 0.120 secs clear of Leclerc.
Most cars in pit
15:48 , Kieran JacksonReadying themselves for a final set of soft-tyre runs, a la qualifying this time tomorrow.
There is less than half-a-second between the top-six as it stands... which is exciting ahead of tomorrow!
Top-10 at half way
15:35 , Kieran JacksonGeorge Russell goes top, with Leclerc in behind and Antonelli in third.
Some quick push laps coming in now!
4-10: Norris, Hamilton, Piastri, Tsunoda, Lindblad, Verstappen, Colapinto
Arvid Lindblad goes third-fastest
15:27 , Kieran JacksonNot too shabby from the rookie!
The Racing Bulls driver goes third-fastest, seven-tenths off Antonelli still in first and nearly a second quicker than his teammate for this weekend Yuki Tsunoda!
Few more soft tyre runs coming in now...
Norris not happy with Stroll
15:17 , Kieran Jackson“What the hell is this guy doing? It’s dangerous.”
Stroll, going slowly, weaves onto the racing line at turn 1 with a rapid Norris approaching behind, forcing the McLaren driver to go straight ahead.
Noted by the stewards. Not sure what Stroll was thinking about...
Verstappen moaning
15:13 , Kieran JacksonMax: “Ugh the downforce on this car.”
A front-wing change then for the four-time world champion, in what is his first outing of the weekend.
Early on, it’s a Mercedes one-two with Antonelli 0.017 secs ahead of Russell at the top. Leclerc is third, also within a tenth.
FP2 underway
15:00 , Kieran JacksonGreen light at the end of the pit-lane as we get this second hour of practice running underway at Monza!
FP2 coming up
14:55 , Kieran JacksonWe’ll have Max Verstappen, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and Sergio Perez all back in the car this session after they made way for the rookie drivers this morning.
Can anyone usurp Ferrari at the top of the timesheet?
ICYMI: Monaco Grand Prix result changes three months after race – with Pierre Gasly losing F1 podium
14:50 , Kieran JacksonPierre Gasly has lost his podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix in June after an appeal from McLaren and Red Bull was upheld by the FIA’s International Court of Appeal.
Gasly finished third at the chequered flag on track in the principality on 7 June, but was demoted to seventh when two five-second penalties for pit-lane speeding were applied post-race, with fellow Frenchman Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) promoted to third.
However, that decision was overturned after a right to review on 12 June, with the stewards accepting Renault-owned Alpine's evidence that there had been a timekeeping error.
The FIA's International Court of Appeal then met last month to hear a McLaren and Red Bull challenge, with the verdict issued on Friday during the start of the Italian Grand Prix – nearly three months later.
Full story below:
Monaco GP result changes three months after race – with Pierre Gasly losing F1 podium
Hamilton on Schumacher's tribute weekend
14:43 , Kieran JacksonThe cars of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will sport a livery inspired by the 1996 Ferrari F310, which the German drove in his debut year, and will feature hints of gold on the wheels similar to the ’96 model.
The car will also feature Schumacher’s logo and the seven stars that used to adorn his helmet, signifying his seven titles – a feat matched only by Hamilton. Ex-Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel will also drive Schumacher’s championship-winning 2022 car for a “celebratory” lap before Sunday’s grand prix.
Asked about representing Ferrari at Monza for the second time, Hamilton said in a press conference on Thursday: “It is the best feeling, such an honour and a privilege to be a Ferrari driver. It is really phenomenal to experience it for the second year in a row.
“I haven't seen the [Schumacher] livery yet, but those seven stars that we will have, like mine, give me a good feeling.
“I always remember seeing Michael in the red car, and just trying to imagine what it would feel like to be in his shoes. He was such a leader.”
George Russell on his upcoming weekend
14:28 , Kieran Jackson“The job we're here to do is to win. We know we're on the back foot with bring upgrades compared to McLaren and Ferrari, they're the teams to beat.
“But this circuit should suit us better than Zandvoort and Hungary.”
Lando Norris on his Monza hopes
14:15 , Kieran Jackson“It's still hard to predict where we're going to be, we're just focused, clearly in a good place as a whole team at the minute, we'll see if we've made any progress.
“It's not a weekend where we want to be hopeful.”
PREVIEW: Why Kimi Antonelli has F1 triumph in his sights – but Monza could spark a fightback
14:00 , Kieran JacksonA crash, a penalty… what next? For a man who’s just turned 20, Italian hotshot Kimi Antonelli has already endured a tumultuous relationship with his home grand prix: the electrifying, old-school Monza circuit, long christened Formula 1’s Temple of Speed.
Full read below:
Why Antonelli has F1 triumph in his sights – but Monza could spark a fightback
Start times in Monza this weekend
13:45 , Kieran JacksonTimes BST
Friday 4 September
- Free practice 2: 3pm
Saturday 5 September
- Free practice 3: 11:30am
- Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 6 September
- Race: 2pm
Lewis Hamilton on Ferrari's engine upgrade:
13:28 , Kieran JacksonWhile championship leader Kimi Antonelli will take a grid penalty for exceeding his engine allocation and is set to start at the back of the grid, Ferrari have brought a power unit upgrade for round 13.
“Every little helps,” said Hamilton, who won his first race for Ferrari in Barcelona in June. “Even the last race, we were losing four tenths on the straight. I'm really proud of how hard everyone is working, in the factory, heads down.
“This is a step forward. It is not the whole gap we need, we knew that would be the case but just to see things coming to the car, it is exciting to see we are still pushing.”
Lando Norris reveals ‘opportunities to gamble’ on F1 career before McLaren extension
13:15 , Kieran JacksonLando Norris insists he had opportunities to leave McLaren before signing a contract extension with the F1 team.
"There was opportunity of course,” Norris told Sky Sports F1. But opportunity that is positive. There's opportunities to gamble at times. I'm a driver that personally I would take one or two tougher years over instant success - as I did a few years ago with McLaren.”
More below:
Lando Norris reveals ‘opportunities to gamble’ on F1 career before McLaren extension
NEWS: Monaco Grand Prix result changes three months after race – with Pierre Gasly losing F1 podium
13:01 , Kieran JacksonPierre Gasly has lost his podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix in June after an appeal from McLaren and Red Bull was upheld by the FIA’s International Court of Appeal.
Gasly finished third at the chequered flag on track in the principality on 7 June, but was demoted to seventh when two five-second penalties for pit-lane speeding were applied post-race, with fellow Frenchman Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) promoted to third.
However, that decision was overturned after a right to review on 12 June, with the stewards accepting Renault-owned Alpine's evidence that there had been a timekeeping error.
The FIA's International Court of Appeal then met last month to hear a McLaren and Red Bull challenge, with the verdict issued on Friday during the start of the Italian Grand Prix – nearly three months later.
Full story below:
Monaco GP result changes three months after race – with Pierre Gasly losing F1 podium
Top-10 in FP1
12:45 , Kieran Jackson1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1:23.008
2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.173
3. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.304
4. Liam Lawson (Red Bull) +0.425
5. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.636
6. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.711
7. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +0.794
8. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) + 0.998
9. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) +1.020
10. Paul Aron (Alpine) +1.169
Charles Leclerc quickest in FP1
12:35 , Kieran JacksonPromising start for Ferrari with a one-two finish in FP1.
Leclerc’s quick time midway through the session is enough, with Hamilton 0.173 seconds off.
George Russell comes home in third - a promising start on a big weekend for the Mercedes driver.
4-10: Lawson, Antonelli, Norris, Lindblad, Bortoleto, Colapinto, Aron
Best of the rookies
12:24 , Kieran JacksonIn terms of the best FP1 rookies, Alpine’s Paul Aron is highest-ranked so far in P11.
Williams’ Luke Browning is P15 with Red Bull’s Iwasa in 16th.
Herta, unsurprisingly given he’s out, is dead-last.
Hamilton goes second
12:18 , Kieran JacksonBetter from Lewis, who goes second-fastest - 0.173 secs off Leclerc - and with the quickest third sector we’ve seen so far.
Just over 10 minutes to go in this session, will we see any more times tumble?
Top-10: Leclerc, Hamilton, Russell, Lawson, Antonelli, Norris, Lindblad, Colapinto, Piastri, Tsunoda
Sainz, Norris and Antonelli have a moment
12:11 , Kieran JacksonAll three don’t make the first chicane after the main straight... going through a bit of gravel now situated there.
Bit odd!
Lewis Hamilton goes third-fastest
12:07 , Kieran JacksonThe 41-year-old goes third, five-tenths off Leclerc on identical medium tyres.
Bit of work to do early on for the Brit compared to his teammate.
Leclerc top at halfway stage
12:01 , Kieran JacksonLeclerc goes fastest, to the delight of the Ferrari fans, with a 1:23:008 - three-tenths quicker than Russell and six-tenths faster than Antonelli in third.
4-10: Lawson, Norris, Lindblad, Hamilton, Colapinto, Piastri, Tsunoda
Green flag
11:59 , Kieran JacksonHerta’s Cadillac cleared - and we’re back with action on track.
RED FLAG
11:51 , Kieran JacksonThe marshals have tried their best to get Herta’s car going again - looked like it was stuck in gear - but they’ve had to admit defeat.
And while the car is rolled off track, we have a red flag to stop the session.
The FP1 clock will continue to run though...
Colton Herta has stopped
11:48 , Kieran JacksonVSC has been deployed with Herta’a Cadillac having pulled over to the side of the track at turn 5.
Mechanical or a crash? Me thinks the former.
Very sub-optimal for the American, that.
Liam Lawson quickest early on
11:42 , Kieran JacksonLawson, filling in for the injured Isack Hadjar once again for Red Bull, top of the timesheet after 10 minutes - but he’s the only one who’s used the soft tyres thus far.
Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc follow the Kiwi in the top-three.
George Russell had a bit of a moment in the second set of chicanes and had to abort his lap - you feel it’s a big weekend for the British driver as he looks to make up some ground on his teammate Kimi Antonelli.
FP1 underway
11:32 , Kieran JacksonBig queue at the end of the pit-lane, with a few testing-esque aero-rakes on show too, as we get underway with the first practice this morning.
Herta, incidentally, had a big shunt in F2 practice this morning but needs to bounce back well as he takes part in another testing session with Cadillac.
FP1 coming up
11:28 , Kieran JacksonThe first of three practice sessions is about to start in Monza!
And we will have four rookie FP1 drivers in this session:
- Ayumu Iwasa for Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Luke Browning for Alex Albon (Williams)
- Paul Aron for Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Colton Herta for Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
Constructor standings ahead of Italian GP
11:15 , Kieran JacksonMercedes have an 87-point lead over Ferrari.
1. Mercedes - 425 points
2. Ferrari - 338 points
3. McLaren - 263 points
4. Red Bull - 186 points
5. Racing Bulls - 66 points
6. Alpine - 63 points
7. Haas - 21 points
8. Audi - 16 points
9. Williams - 11 points
10. Aston Martin - 3 points
11. Cadillac - 0 points
Top-10 - Championship standings heading into Monza:
11:07 , Kieran JacksonKimi Antonelli has a 59-point lead to George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 242 points
2. George Russell (Mercedes) - 183 points
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 183 points
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 159 points
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 155 points
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 112 points
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 104 points
8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 68 points
9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 49 points
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 44 points
Lewis Hamilton in Monza
11:04 , Kieran JacksonIf you missed his scintillating arrival at the Monza paddock yesterday... how did you?!
Hamilton arrived in his newly bought Ferrari F40 sports car, wearing a a black suit and tie, Kangol cap, brown overcoat, and briefcase.
Start times in Monza this weekend
11:01 , Kieran JacksonTimes BST
Friday 4 September
- Free practice 1: 11:30am
- Free practice 2: 3pm
Saturday 5 September
- Free practice 3: 11:30am
- Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 6 September
- Race: 2pm
F1 Italian Grand Prix
11:00 , Kieran JacksonF1 heads to the iconic Monza circuit this weekend for the Italian Grand Prix and round 13 of the 2026 season.
Kimi Antonelli, who is expected to take a grid penalty at his home race, leads the world championship standings by 59 points to Mercedes teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, with the Italian having finished second at the last race in Zandvoort.
At the Dutch GP, reigning F1 world champion Lando Norris won his second straight grand prix with a composed drive at Zandvoort, after recording a sublime pole position. Norris is now fourth in the drivers’ standings, 83 points behind Antonelli.
Ferrari will be hoping to land a victory at their traditional home race, with Charles Leclerc a two-time winner in Monza and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who crashed out on the first lap last time out, will be looking to bounce back.
