Official 2026 Italian Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[Piginapoke]

After a Norris masterclass in Zandvoort we re in Monza for the Italian GP. It should be a cracker, with McLaren on a roll and Ferrari bringing an upgraded engine and aero package. But the hybrid engines will really struggle here.

It should be close, but Antonelli is starting from the back due to taking an entire new power unit here. Do Mercedes still start as favourites? I m not sure they do. McLaren s upgrades (mainly to the leading edges of the floor I read) seem to have lifted the car performance to lead the field. But the team has shorter gear ratios than Mercedes for the season and presumably that will be a problem here.

Red Bull needs to find something and soon. Max won here last year which seems a long time ago.

Norris has my vote again, as the McLaren should fly here.

Here s to a great race.

Date(s): Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2026

UK Broadcast Timings (and track time)

All sessions are live on Sky F1. Channel 4 is showing highlights of competitive sessions.





2025 Highlights: Max win, McLaren swaperoo

https://youtu.be/kGMp1Byuwto?si=BRa6AoyXelWpQ3u9

Tyres:

Soft compounds:



2025 Result:

Edited by Piginapoke on Monday 31st August 06:31

[matherto]

Cheers PIAP!

I guess with Kimi (and George?) taking a penalty for power unit it's a Lewis/Charles vs Lando race?

Unless Oscar somehow turns up for once.

[CoolHands]

Can Ferrari enter a fuel flow gate special for this race?

Hope so

[Diderot]

Thanks as always PiaP.

Gone for Norris as usual. Although I can see the Ferraris being very strong on home turf.

[Still Mulling]

Cheers’en, PiaP. I hope it’ll rain, otherwise it could be terribly dull.

[Jasandjules]

I am not sure this won't be too traumatic to watch when they drop power... I mean, parabolica is surely going to see them slowing down the straight..

[Piginapoke]

Jasandjules said:

I am not sure this won't be too traumatic to watch when they drop power... I mean, parabolica is surely going to see them slowing down the straight..

Yes I should have said in the OP, it’s going to be st with these power units!

[vaud]

Maybe they should copy some tracks from post Imola 1994 and add a temp chicane…

[TVR Sagaris]

Voted Lewis just because it would be great.

[BrettMRC]

I wonder if Ferrari will have a party mode?

[Jasandjules]

BrettMRC said:

I wonder if Ferrari will have a party mode?

I have to assume they will turn the engines up to max and just take new ones after this race. Surely they will go all out to win at Monza?!?

[Tim the pool man]

Jasandjules said:

BrettMRC said:

I wonder if Ferrari will have a party mode?

I have to assume they will turn the engines up to max and just take new ones after this race. Surely they will go all out to win at Monza?!?

I really hope Kimi wins the WDC this year, but it would be great to see Lewis win a few races despite Ferrari!

[BrettMRC]

Tim the pool man said:

Jasandjules said:

BrettMRC said:

I wonder if Ferrari will have a party mode?

I have to assume they will turn the engines up to max and just take new ones after this race. Surely they will go all out to win at Monza?!?

I really hope Kimi wins the WDC this year, but it would be great to see Lewis win a few races despite Ferrari!

So, based on this - I'm expecting a Ferrari strategy masterclass that sees both cars finishing out of the top 10!

[Smollet]

BrettMRC said:

Tim the pool man said:

Jasandjules said:

BrettMRC said:

I wonder if Ferrari will have a party mode?

I have to assume they will turn the engines up to max and just take new ones after this race. Surely they will go all out to win at Monza?!?

I really hope Kimi wins the WDC this year, but it would be great to see Lewis win a few races despite Ferrari!

So, based on this - I'm expecting a Ferrari strategy masterclass that sees both cars finishing out of the top 10!

That did cross my mind too

[Derek Smith]

Thanks yet again, PiaP.

I'm looking forward to the race, although with a certain trepidation. I hope for a Norris win and, given the penalties for both Mercs, the odds have improved a bit, but I doubt they'll be held up for long.

Ferrari? They'll mess it up somehow.

[Fender95]

I am hopeful this time, I am sure Ferrari will be at their max!

[vaud]

I’ve no doubt on speed. It’s Ferrari strategy I worry about.

End of lap 1

“Lewis, Charles, pit and double stack please”
“Why?”
“Moving from plan a to plan k27”. Fitting intermediates”
“WTF? It’s sunny and we are leading!”
“Affirm but we need to roll the dice on this to secure our position”

Both pit.

“Ah sorry both it was a seagull that peed on the meteorologist and we’ve been criticised for trusting the radar too muck and not trusting that it is in fact raining. Pit and double stack please for soft tyres”

Both pit.
5 mins later it starts raining…

[PhilAsia]

Thanks as usual PiaP, but it is probably/definitely going to be

sadly...

[Blib]

I've gone for Lando, with no real expectation of his Mclaren being up to it, as Monza is no Zandvoort.

With Kimi probably taking a grid penalty and Ferrari 'at home' it's gotta be Hamilton's to lose?

(Random 5 second penalties notwithstanding).

[HocusPocus]

Surely Piastri is due a podium by now, especially if the Ferrari can deploy standard tactical nous to ruin both car's races, and Kimi starts from the back. Norris to win though.

I hope clipping cars don't trigger high speed brake testing accidents here.