What makes the Italian Grand Prix special – and why you should see it

The Italian Grand Prix has been at the heart of Formula 1 since the World Championship began in 1950, with Monza hosting the race in every season except 1980. Few venues can match its combination of history, high-speed action and passionate support.

Built in 1922 and known as the ‘Temple of Speed’, the circuit has seen plenty of memorable moments – from dramatic slipstream battles and surprise victories to emotional Ferrari celebrations beneath a sea of red.

Let's take a look at just some of the reasons why Monza is so magical.

The Temple of Speed

Monza asks teams to do something rarely required elsewhere on the Formula 1 calendar: strip away as much downforce as possible and prioritise outright speed.

The cars use circuit-specific aerodynamic packages designed to reduce drag along the long straights, where drivers spend much of the lap at full throttle. But finding the right balance is not simply a question of making the car fast in a straight line. It must also remain stable under heavy braking and give the driver enough confidence through demanding corners such as the two Lesmos, Ascari and the Curva Alboreto – commonly known as the Parabolica.

That combination creates a distinctive spectacle. Cars run nose-to-tail in the slipstream before drivers attempt overtaking moves under braking, while the smallest hesitation or mistake can carry a significant cost. It is a challenge found nowhere else in quite the same form – and one that fully justifies Monza’s reputation.

When is the next Italian Grand Prix?

The 2026 Italian Grand Prix weekend begins on Friday 4 September, with F1 cars hitting the track for the first two Free Practice sessions, before Free Practice 3 and Qualifying take place on Saturday 5 September. The Grand Prix itself is on Sunday 6 September, at 1500 local time.

Check out the RACE HUB to see when each F1 session starts in your local time zone, wherever you are in the world.

Why we love the Autodromo Nazionale Monza

There are passionate crowds, and then there are the Tifosi. From the moment the gates open, Monza comes alive in a sea of Ferrari red as fans gather to support the Scuderia on home soil.

Every Ferrari appearance is greeted with a roar, while the celebrations after the race create one of F1’s most memorable sights as spectators fill the main straight beneath the podium.

But Monza is about more than supporting one team. The circuit is rapid, and fans travel from across the world to experience it’s distinctive atmosphere regardless of who they support. The noise, colour and emotion make this a race weekend like few others – and one that every fan should experience at least once.

The weekend schedule is full of action and there's plenty to look forward to every day, with F1 Free Practice, Qualifying and the Grand Prix all supported by other categories. That means even more opportunities to see cars on track.

There’s fantastic live entertainment, enthusiastic support and a superb atmosphere.

During the day there's the stacked F1 Fanzone too, with activities, entertainment, and the chance to see drivers and team representatives live on stage.

Memorable moments in Monza

Monza has served up some unforgettable standout moments throughout the years since first hosting an F1 weekend in 1950.

We couldn’t possibly list them all, but here’s a selection to whet your appetite for more…

1971 – Peter Gethin charged from 11th on the grid to claim his only F1 victory in a remarkable slipstreaming battle. The BRM driver beat Ronnie Peterson by just 0.01 seconds, with the first five cars crossing the line within 0.61 seconds in what remains the closest finish in F1 history.

1988 – Ayrton Senna’s late collision with the lapped Williams of Jean-Louis Schlesser handed Ferrari's Gerhard Berger victory and Michele Alboreto second place. The unexpected 1-2 came less than a month after the death of the team’s founder, Enzo Ferrari, prompting emotional celebrations.

1996 – Michael Schumacher won the Italian Grand Prix during his first season with Ferrari, taking the chequered flag ahead of Jean Alesi to claim the Scuderia’s first Monza victory since 1988 and further endear himself to the Tifosi.

2008 – Sebastian Vettel mastered wet conditions to take a sensational maiden F1 victory for Toro Rosso. The 21-year-old started from pole position and controlled the race to become the youngest Grand Prix winner at the time.

2019 – Charles Leclerc resisted sustained pressure from the Mercedes drivers to secure Ferrari’s first Italian Grand Prix victory since 2010, triggering memorable celebrations beneath the Monza podium.

2020 – A Safety Car, red flag and penalty for race leader Lewis Hamilton transformed the order and helped Pierre Gasly claim his maiden F1 victory. The AlphaTauri driver held off Carlos Sainz to win by just 0.415 seconds and become the first French driver to win an F1 race in 24 years.

2021 – Title rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton retired after colliding at the first chicane before Daniel Ricciardo led home team mate Lando Norris to seal a memorable McLaren 1-2 and the team’s first victory since 2012.

2024 – Charles Leclerc delivered another home victory for Ferrari with a bold one-stop strategy, expertly managing his tyres to finish ahead of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris and send the Tifosi into celebration once again.

How can I watch the Italian Grand Prix?

Nothing beats being there! Head to F1 Tickets to secure your place and catch all the action in person. F1 Experiences has a great range of premium ticket packages too, getting you closer to Formula 1 than ever before.

For details of the broadcaster in your area, click here.

You can also watch the drama unfold via F1 TV Pro (in selected countries only).