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via f1technical.netMercedes Shows Strong Performance at Monza Italian Grand PrixMercedes demonstrated competitive pace during the opening day of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. George Russell topped the second practice session, while both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc remained in contention for top positions.
via gpfans.comValentino Rossi given F1 tribute at Italian Grand PrixThe 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza features a tribute to Valentino Rossi, the beloved MotoGP champion, through Kimi Antonelli's specially designed crash helmet. Antonelli, who leads the championship for Mercedes, aims to honor Rossi while competing in his home race, despite facing an engine penalty that will place him at the back of the grid.
Antonelli's helmet design pays homage to Rossi's iconic 2002 Mugello helmet, showcasing a cartoon of the two in their racing suits. While he acknowledges the challenge of starting from the back, Antonelli remains optimistic about targeting a top-five finish in the race.
via theguardian.comKimi Antonelli: ‘The F1 environment is great but at times it can be very brutal’Kimi Antonelli, a 20-year-old driver for Mercedes, is currently leading the Formula 1 drivers' championship by 59 points. Despite facing challenges during his debut season, including public scrutiny and pressure, he has emerged stronger and has achieved remarkable success, including five consecutive race victories this season. Antonelli acknowledges the brutal nature of the F1 environment but remains focused on enjoying his racing career.
As he prepares for the Monza Grand Prix, Antonelli will start from the back of the grid due to a penalty for new engine components. He emphasizes the importance of his relationship with his father, who has been a significant support throughout his racing journey. Antonelli's performance and personality have made him a beloved figure in Italy, where fans are eager to see him become the first Italian world champion in decades.
via f1oversteer.comJuan Pablo Montoya claims one Ferrari driver was ‘always faster’ than Michael Schumacher at MonzaJuan Pablo Montoya has stated that Rubens Barrichello consistently outperformed Michael Schumacher at the Italian Grand Prix, despite Schumacher's overall success with Ferrari. Montoya's comments highlight the competitive nature of their battles, particularly at Monza, where Schumacher secured five victories throughout his career. Montoya himself also enjoyed success at the iconic circuit, winning races in 2001 and 2005.
The article notes that Eddie Irvine was the only driver to finish ahead of Schumacher in the standings, which occurred during a season when Schumacher was sidelined due to injury. As Ferrari prepares to honor Schumacher's legacy with a special livery for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix, Montoya reflects on the challenges of racing against Schumacher and the respect shared between them on the track.
via Formula1.comOliver Bearman Comments on Haas Upgrades at Italian Grand PrixHaas has introduced significant upgrades for the Italian Grand Prix, with only Oliver Bearman receiving the new Ferrari power unit. Bearman described the improvements as a 'night and day difference' compared to earlier performances this season.
via Motorsport.comF1 Italian GP: Saturday schedule, weather forecast and how to watchThe article provides details about the schedule and weather for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza. George Russell topped the timesheets in the second practice session, narrowly beating Charles Leclerc, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli will start from the back due to an engine change. Max Verstappen struggled for balance, finishing ninth in practice.
Saturday's schedule includes free practice 3 and qualifying, with hot weather expected to impact tire and brake management. The race will take place on Sunday, and viewers can watch through various broadcasters depending on their region.
via Motorsport.comMercedes vs Ferrari: Italian GP long runs leave no clear favouriteThe Italian Grand Prix is shaping up to be a close contest between Mercedes and Ferrari, with both teams showing competitive long run times during practice sessions. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton demonstrated equal pace, while George Russell closely followed, indicating a tight race ahead. Mercedes appears to gain an advantage early in the lap, while Ferrari makes up time in the final sector, leaving the outcome uncertain as both teams prepare for qualifying and the race.
In contrast, McLaren struggled to keep pace, lagging behind by four tenths, and Red Bull is positioned as the fourth-best team at Monza. The midfield dynamics are shifting, with Audi facing challenges in engine performance, while Alpine seems to be making a comeback. Overall, the competitive landscape is tight, and minor mistakes could significantly impact race positions.
via Sky Sports F1Hamilton Anticipates Close Battle for Monza Pole PositionLewis Hamilton expressed excitement about the upcoming qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. He described achieving pole position in front of Ferrari's home crowd as his 'ultimate dream'.
via Formula1.comLando Norris Expresses Doubts About McLaren's Pole Position ChancesAfter the practice sessions at Monza, Lando Norris expressed concerns about McLaren's competitiveness. He stated that the team is currently not in contention for pole position.
via Formula1.comAntonelli assesses ‘weird’ first day on track in MonzaKimi Antonelli had a mixed first day at the Italian Grand Prix, finishing fifth in the first practice session and third in the second, where his teammate George Russell set the fastest time. Antonelli will start from the back of the grid due to a planned engine change, which he acknowledged would make his race more challenging as he aims to recover positions. He noted that the day felt unusual with a focus on long runs rather than single lap speed, but he gathered valuable data for the upcoming race.
Antonelli also highlighted the competitive nature of the weekend, particularly with Ferrari's improved performance, suggesting a tight battle for pole position. Mercedes' Deputy Team Principal, Bradley Lord, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team's solid performance and the importance of long run pace for Antonelli's strategy. Overall, the team is optimistic about their chances despite the challenges ahead.
via Motorsport.comRalf Schumacher pays tribute to brother Michael and his lasting Ferrari F1 legacyRalf Schumacher paid tribute to his brother Michael during the Italian Grand Prix, reflecting on his significant impact on Formula 1 and Ferrari. This year marks notable anniversaries, including 30 years since Michael's first race with Ferrari and 20 years since his last victory and retirement announcement. Ralf highlighted Michael's ability to thrive under pressure and his deep connection with the Ferrari team, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in his brother's success.
Ralf shared personal memories, including discussions about Michael's decision to join Ferrari in 1996, which was seen as a risky move. He expressed admiration for Michael's influence on the team and the unique atmosphere surrounding Ferrari, where the brand and its drivers held immense significance. Ralf's reflections underscore Michael Schumacher's enduring legacy in the sport.
via F1iHamilton Raises Concerns Over Ferrari's Performance at MonzaLewis Hamilton expressed concerns about Ferrari's performance following practice sessions at the Italian Grand Prix. He noted that while Ferrari has introduced an engine upgrade, Mercedes may still hold a top speed advantage that could impact the race.
via Formula1.comRussell beats Leclerc and Antonelli to FP2 fastest timeIn Free Practice 2 for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, George Russell set the fastest time, leading the session with a lap of 1m 22.559s. He was followed closely by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, who faced challenges due to an engine change that will see him start at the back of the grid for the race. The session saw all regular drivers back on track after missing the earlier practice, with notable performances from Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
The practice session was marked by competitive lap times and close racing, with drivers attempting to gain an advantage through slipstreaming. Verstappen encountered issues with downforce, while Leclerc briefly lost control but managed to recover. The session concluded with Russell maintaining his lead, setting the stage for an exciting qualifying ahead of the Grand Prix.
via Motorsport WeekItalian GP technical preview: Upgrades and penalties in MonzaThe Italian GP at Monza will see Kimi Antonelli starting from the back of the grid due to an engine penalty, despite leading the championship. Mercedes' George Russell will not face penalties and will benefit from Antonelli's qualifying efforts. Ferrari is bringing the most extensive upgrades, while McLaren's changes are more modest following a significant upgrade in Hungary. Red Bull is focusing on reliability with their upgrades, and Haas is introducing a substantial midfield update, although Esteban Ocon cautions that Monza may highlight larger performance gaps between teams this year.
The rest of the grid is primarily making minor adjustments tailored for Monza's unique demands. Williams and Racing Bulls have implemented small drag modifications, while Audi notably did not submit any updates. The race promises to be competitive with various strategies and upgrades influencing the outcomes, particularly in the context of the new power unit and deployment rules affecting performance on this high-speed circuit.
via F1iGeorge Russell Leads Practice Sessions Ahead of Italian Grand PrixGeorge Russell emerged as the fastest driver in both practice sessions for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. He topped the timesheets in FP2, closely followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and teammate Kimi Antonelli.
via the-race.comEverything you need to know about Italian GP FP2In the second practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, George Russell topped the timesheets, outperforming Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli. Russell's performance was marked by a strong showing on soft tires, despite ending the session with concerns about his car's suspension. Leclerc attempted to match his earlier pace from FP1 but faced a setback with a spin late in the session.
Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top five, while Max Verstappen struggled with car issues, finishing ninth. The session also saw notable performances from Arvid Lindblad and Ollie Bearman, with Bearman benefiting from an upgraded Ferrari power unit. Overall, the session highlighted competitive dynamics among the teams ahead of the race weekend.
via f1oversteer.comFred Vasseur admits Ferrari were behind on developing their 2026 F1 car for '18 months'Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has acknowledged that the team fell behind in the development of their 2026 F1 car for a significant period of 18 months. Despite this setback, Ferrari has been aggressive in their car development efforts, with their SF-26 chassis being recognized as one of the best on the grid this season. Mercedes initially dominated the season, but Ferrari's advancements have made the competition more challenging for them.
Vasseur highlighted that while the chassis development is progressing well, the engine development lagged behind. Ferrari has implemented two upgrades this season, and recent performance indicators suggest that these changes are yielding positive results. The team is optimistic as they continue to enhance their performance and support their drivers in the ongoing championship race.
via espn.comLeclerc fastest in first practice at Italian GPIn the first practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari achieved the fastest time, setting a record of 1:26.153. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, followed closely in second place, while George Russell secured third. Title leader Kimi Antonelli faced a setback, as he will start from the back of the grid due to a grid penalty for a new engine, finishing fifth in practice. Lando Norris, who has recently won two races, finished sixth in the session, indicating his competitive form.
The session saw several drivers, including Max Verstappen, rotated out as teams fulfilled rookie obligations. Paul Aron emerged as the top rookie, finishing in 10th place. Additionally, the FIA has classified the Italian Grand Prix as a heat hazard amid the ongoing European heatwave, highlighting the challenging conditions for the teams and drivers.
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri Receives Grid Penalty for Italian Grand PrixOscar Piastri has been penalized with a three-place grid drop for the Italian Grand Prix after impeding Liam Lawson during qualifying. As a result, he will start the race from sixth position instead of third.Page 18 of 47