Il heart of Formula 1 comes back to beat in Temple of Speed. Monza faces the decisive day of qualifying and the race on Sunday with an already sold out Autodromo, Ferrari called to chase and Andrea Kimi Antonelli ready to defend his leadership of the World Cup in front of the Italian public.
La 97esima edition of the Italian Grand Prix comes in a season that has brought an Italian driver back to the centre of the title race. Antonelli leads the standings with 242 points, 59 more than his teammate George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, both on 183. A privileged position, but the weekend in Brianza presents a very steep climb: the replacement of the power unit will force the Bolognese driver to start from the last row.
Italian GP: Gasly surprises by taking pole ahead of Russell
Meanwhile, on Saturday afternoon an incredible qualification gave to Pierre Gasly and his Alpine gets its first career pole position. The 30-year-old French driver will start first. Behind him George Russell with Mercedes, while the second row will be made up of Oscar piastri with McLaren and Charles Leclerc with the first of the Ferraris. Followed by the other "Red" of Lewis Hamilton, with at the side Max Verstappen with Red Bull.
It must be said that Kimi Antonelli, the much-lauded leader of the World Championship, set excellent times: his Mercedes was at times the fastest of all, but for him it was more or less a "training" game, knowing, in fact, that on Sunday he would start from the back of the grid anyway. The race is tomorrow at 15pm.
This is the ranking Riders (top positions):
- Antonelli 242 points;
- Russell and Hamilton 183;
- Norris 159;
- Leclerc 155;
- Verstappen 112;
- Plates 106.
This is the ranking instead Builders (top positions):
- Mercedes 425 points;
- Ferrari 338;
- McLaren 265;
- Red Bull 189.
Antonelli leads, but Monza becomes a comeback race
The present of Italian Formula 1 is represented by Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The Mercedes driver arrives in Monza after finishing third in Hungary and second in the Netherlands, results that allowed him to consolidate his lead in the championship. However, the penalty complicates what could have been a perfect weekend. Antonelli already knows that he will have to build his race starting from the bottom, on a circuit where top speed, slipstreaming, and overtaking ability can still offer some opportunities. Bringing an Italian back to the top step of the podium at Monza would have a special meaning: exactly 10 years have passed. 60 years since the last Italian victory, obtained in 1966 by Ludovico Scarfiotti at the wheel of a Ferrari.
Monza could therefore become the scene of a two-way battle. On the one hand, Antonelli will have to limit the damage and attempt a comeback that would be a real feat. On the other, Russell, second in the championship, will have the opportunity to close the gap on his teammate. The Briton is also the favorite for pole position at 3,50, ahead of Norris at 4,00, Leclerc at 5,00, and Hamilton at 6,00. And then there are always the Ferraris, chasing right behind, not to mention a McLaren driven by reigning world champion Lando Norris, who is making a strong comeback and is considered the favorite here after back-to-back wins in Hungary and the Netherlands.
Leclerc seeks a hat trick, Hamilton chases the record
La Classic Ferrari for sale The Prancing Horse arrives at its home Grand Prix as the second-placed team in the Constructors' Championship. The Prancing Horse has collected 338 points, trailing Mercedes, the leader with 425, but ahead of McLaren, with 263. To turn Monza into a celebration, however, it will need to beat rivals who, according to predictions, start with a little more. Leclerc will try to complete a personal hat-trick after the triumphs of 2019 and 2024. Hamilton Instead, he's looking for a sixth victory at Monza, a result that would allow him to set an all-time record at the Brianza circuit. The Briton's last victory in the Italian Grand Prix, however, dates back to 2018, when he was racing for Mercedes.
The most recent precedent calls for caution. In 2025, Verstappen dominated the race ahead of the two McLarens of Norris and Oscar Piastri, while Leclerc and Hamilton finished fourth and sixth. The Dutchman completed the 53 laps at an average speed of 250,706 kilometers per hour, setting the fastest Grand Prix in Formula 1 history and obliterating the record set by Michael Schumacher in 2003.
Schumacher himself will symbolically accompany Ferrari this weekendThirty years after the German's first season in Maranello, the SF-26s will race with a special livery inspired by the 1996 F310. The red will be flanked by black and white elements, while the rims will feature gold details that recall the magnesium components used on the single-seater of the time. The cars will also feature the Schumacher's personal logo, formed by the letters M and S, while the nose will feature a graphic reference to the seven stars on the German champion's helmet. The tribute will also extend to the team uniforms and the two drivers' equipment. "Michael's history with Ferrari was much more than a string of victories and titles," the Scuderia explained, remembering his pursuit of improvement, discipline, and ability to build a team culture that continues to be a hallmark of Maranello.
A sold-out racetrack on its way to a new record
Monza fever isn't measured only by the rankings. The racetrack is sold out and the organizers are planning aoverall turnout close to 400 thousand people over the weekend. The goal is to surpass the record set in 2025, when 369.041 attendees were recorded over the three days, over 10% more than the previous edition. "Monza has something special to offer; there's history, but also a passion that's constantly growing," emphasized the President and CEO of Formula 1 and former Technical Director of Maranello. Stefano domenicaliA passion that engages different generations and an increasingly younger audience, transforming the Grand Prix into one of the most recognizable events on the entire world calendar.
The organizational structure has been strengthened to accommodate the arrival of fans. On Sunday, Trenord will provide 21 special connections between Milan Porta Garibaldi and Biassono, in addition to the regular service. The mobility plan includes dedicated parking, shuttles, changes to the road network, and an overall improvement in public transportation. The international dimension of the Grand Prix is also linked to the future of the plantThe contract with Formula 1 covers the seasons until 2031, while the concession of the Autodromo to the Automobile Club d'Italia has been extended until 2044. According to the president of the Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana, the conditions already exist to envisage the continuation of the race beyond the expiration of the current agreement.
The Grand Prix is worth almost 208 million euros
Behind the charm of the track there is a economical car involving Monza, Brianza, Milan and a significant part of Lombardy. According to estimates by Confcommercio Research Center Milan Lodi Monza Brianza, the 97th edition of the Italian Grand Prix will generate a induced income of 207,8 million euros, up 7,9% compared to 2025.
Confcommercio estimates over 365 visitors, a figure that encompasses an audience capable of moving consumption well beyond the racetrack's gates. Hospitality is expected to account for €68,6 million, equal to 33% of total spending. Shopping is worth another €62,2 million, 30% of the total, while restaurants and venues are expected to account for approximately €33,2 million. The total is rounded out by €31,2 million in entrance fees and €12,5 million for transportation and parking.
La the largest share will remain in the province of Monza and Brianza, where the economic impact is estimated at €106,4 million, 7,9% more than last year. Milan and its metropolitan area will benefit from another €63,2 million, a 7,8% increase, while the effects of the Grand Prix will also reach Como, Lecco, and other Lombardy provinces. "The Grand Prix confirms its position as one of the most important events for the attractiveness of our regions," stated Marco Barbieri, general secretary of Confcommercio Milano Lodi Monza Brianza. An event capable of uniting sport, tourism, commerce, and international promotion, boosting the regional economy alongside the single-seaters.
First, however, the word returns to the trackFerrari will try to bring the red flag back to the front, while Antonelli will start from the back, defending the championship and dreaming of a great comeback. Nearly 400 people will gather for one of the most anticipated weekends of the year. Because in Monza, Formula 1 isn't just a race, it's history, passion, and a collective fever that reaches its peak when the lights go out. And who knows if, faced with a potential feat from Antonelli, the great Ferrari fans in Monza will end up beating a little for their Italian rival too.
