GASLY GIFTS HIMSELF THE QUEEN’S RING. TOMORROW SHOW WITH PAUSINI AND NATIONAL ANTHEM WITH MELE
Six years after writing one of the most memorable chapters of his career in Monza, Pierre Gasly is back in the spotlight at the Lombard circuit. This time, not with a victory, but with the first pole position of his Formula 1 career. And as a reward, he has the Queen’s Ring placed on his finger — the award celebrating the driver who sets the fastest qualifying lap at the Italian Grand Prix. The ring was presented to him at the end of qualifying by Debora Massari, Councillor for Tourism of the Lombardy Region, and Paolo Pilotto, Mayor of Monza.
The Alpine driver stopped the clock at 1:21.786, at an average speed of 254.992 km/h, edging George Russell by just 60 thousandths of a second. The Mercedes driver finished second with a time of 1:21.846. It was a pole position decided by the tiniest of margins, and achieved at a place that Gasly has always held close to his heart.
It was in 2020, when he was still driving for AlphaTauri, that the Frenchman claimed his only Formula 1 victory in Monza. Today, six years later, he is an Alpine driver, with Flavio Briatore at the helm of the team, but his bond with the city and the surrounding area has not changed. Gasly has long lived in the heart of Milan, and it was in Monza that he added one of the most important achievements of his career.
Russell will therefore start alongside him on the front row, while third place went to Oscar Piastri, who set a 1:21.966 in the McLaren. The Australian, however, was handed a three-place grid penalty, opening the door for Ferrari to occupy the second row.
Defending the colours of the Prancing Horse will be Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, ready to turn Sunday’s race into a great sea of red in front of the grandstands at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.
It will also be a Sunday to remember for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The young Italian talent, leader of the World Championship, finished qualifying seventh with a time of 1:22.758, but will be forced to start from the penultimate row of the grid because of the penalty imposed following a Power Unit replacement. His qualifying session was therefore overshadowed by a sanction that makes the challenge awaiting him in the race even more spectacular: a major comeback from the back of the field.
Now in its third edition, the Queen’s Ring has already become one of the defining events of the Monza Grand Prix weekend.
The ring is inspired by the Iron Crown, a symbol deeply connected to Lombardy’s history, and incorporates several of its elements through references to the chequered flag and the colours of the Italian flag, enhanced with precious stones set into the design.
It is a one-of-a-kind piece, created exclusively for the Italian Grand Prix and personalised for the winner. Before Gasly, it had already been worn by Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.
Gasly’s pole position has further heightened anticipation for tomorrow’s race, when Monza will once again turn red. The grandstands are ready to cheer on Ferrari, while also getting behind Antonelli as he faces the difficult task of fighting his way back from the rear of the grid.
And the spectacle will begin well before the lights go out.
On the grid will be Laura Pausini, one of Italy’s best-known and most beloved artists worldwide, winner of a Grammy Award, five Latin Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe.
After the traditional drivers’ parade, the spotlight will turn to the parachutists of the 1st Carabinieri Paratroopers Regiment “Tuscania”, who will jump over the circuit carrying the flags of Italy, Formula 1 and the ACI.
Following their success in 2024, tenor Francesco Meli, one of the leading figures on the international opera scene, will once again perform the “Canto degli Italiani”, accompanied by the Italian Army Military Band.
At the end of the national anthem will come one of the most eagerly awaited moments of Monza Sunday: the spectacular flyover of the starting grid by the Frecce Tricolori, the National Aerobatic Team of the Italian Air Force.
Finally, this year too, the 22 protagonists of the World Championship will be accompanied onto the grid by young representatives of the Maria Letizia Verga Foundation, which provides support to children and young people affected by haematological and oncological diseases, as well as metabolic and genetic conditions requiring highly complex treatment.
Today, meanwhile, eight months after the tragedy on New Year’s Eve in Crans-Montana, Automobile Club Milano made a simple yet meaningful gesture by welcoming some of the young survivors to Monza, giving them the opportunity to spend a day together immersed in sport and passion.
FERRARI AND RUSSELL ON FRIDAY, TOMORROW POLE, CARS MOVIE IN THE FANZONE AND THE CELEBRATION OF SCHUMACHER
The great celebration of the 2026 Formula 1 Pirelli Italian Grand Prix has begun. Today, Friday, September 4, thousands of fans flocked to the Autodromo Nazionale Monza for the first day of the most eagerly awaited weekend of the season, giving the Temple of Speed an atmosphere worthy of a major event already.
The track verdict saw the two Scuderia Ferrari HP cars emerge as the absolute protagonists in the first free practice session. Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets with a 1:23.008, ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton, who was second in 1:23.181.
There was also huge enthusiasm for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The Italian Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver, cheered on by the home crowd, set the fifth-fastest time in 1:23.644. Antonelli, who will be forced to start from the back of the grid on Sunday, nevertheless gave the fans at the circuit an encouraging performance.
In the second free practice session, the fastest time was set instead by George Russell, Antonelli’s teammate and one of the leading contenders in the fight for the World Championship.
The Briton stopped the clock at 1:22.559, corresponding to an average speed of 252.604 km/h, finishing just 0.120 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc. Andrea Kimi Antonelli set the third-fastest time, delivering a particularly strong FP2 performance in front of the Italian crowd.
The competitive order therefore remains extremely close, leaving all scenarios open ahead of tomorrow’s qualifying session.
Ferrari has dedicated this weekend to Michael Schumacher: the two cars are running in a special livery inspired by the Ferrari F310, the car with which Michael began his Ferrari adventure in 1996. Leclerc has also chosen a helmet inspired by the one used by the seven-time World Champion, adding another symbolic element to an already emotional weekend.
The 1996 F310 and the 2006 248 F1 are on display at Monza. The latter was the car with which the German driver concluded his Ferrari career on the racetrack. With these two cars, Schumi claimed his first and last victories at Monza.
The third star of the exhibition is the Ferrari F2002, with which Schumacher won the 2022 title. Tomorrow afternoon at 5:45 p.m., Rubens Barrichello will take the car out on track, while on Sunday morning it will be Sebastian Vettel’s turn at 11 a.m.
Tomorrow, qualifying day, it will not be just the track that takes centre stage.
From 5:30 p.m., the Grand Prix Fan Zone will be transformed into a genuine open-air cinema for a special screening of Cars, marking the 20th anniversary of the film’s release.
The movie will be shown in English with Italian subtitles, allowing fans to relive the adventures of Lightning McQueen and the unforgettable characters of Radiator Springs.
It is an event designed for the whole family, bringing an additional moment of entertainment to the heart of the season’s most eagerly awaited weekend and providing the perfect finale to a day whose main highlight will be the Grand Prix qualifying session.
Tomorrow will also feature a particularly special honour: the driver who secures pole position for the Italian Grand Prix will be presented with the Anello della Regina, an award supported and sponsored by the Lombardy Region and the Municipality of Monza. The ring is inspired by the Iron Crown, featuring elements recalling the chequered flag and the colours of the Italian flag, along with precious gemstones. It will be a unique piece, created exclusively for the event and personalised for the winner. So far, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen have had the honour of wearing it. Who will be next this year?
The celebration has only just begun. Tomorrow, with qualifying, the Temple of Speed will come alive once again.
TWENTY-TWO NEW TREES PLANTED IN MONZA. THE 2027 F1 SEASON TO BE UNVEILED IN MILAN
Green is taking an increasingly prominent role at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza with “One Driver, One Tree”, the project that, for the fourth consecutive year, combines a passion for motorsport with a commitment to environmental protection, sustainability and the enhancement of biodiversity. On the occasion of the 2026 Formula 1 Pirelli Italian Grand Prix, the “Bosco Bello” area of Monza Park, near the Ascari Chicane, is being enriched with 22 new plants, one for each driver competing in the Italian Grand Prix. This further expands the “Drivers’ Forest”, which symbolically links the protagonists of Formula 1 to the local area and its environmental vocation.
The initiative is promoted by the Automobile Club d’Italia and the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, with the support of the Forestry, Environmental and Agri-food Units Command of the Carabinieri Corps, and is part of the “A Tree for the Future” project, the Carabinieri’s national environmental education programme. It represents a further step in the process of institutional cooperation at both national and local level which, through collaboration with schools, public authorities and local organisations, has so far led to the planting of more than 50,000 trees and plants across Italy, including in locations that host major international motorsport events.
The 22 new plants for the “Drivers’ Forest” were supplied by the Carabinieri National Biodiversity Centre in Pieve Santo Stefano. The selection of species focused on native varieties capable of contributing to the creation of a resilient plant community able to withstand the effects of climate change and, over time, to strengthen biodiversity in the area. The tree species selected were Acer campestre, Quercus ilex, Quercus cerris and Fraxinus angustifolia; the shrub species were Viburnum opulus and Cornus sanguinea.
The tree-planting ceremony was attended by Automobile Club d’Italia President Geronimo La Russa, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, Mayor of Monza Paolo Pilotto, and Brigadier General and Commander of the Carabinieri Biodiversity Group Raffaele Pio Manicone.
F1 LIVE AT MILAN “This is an important achievement that we have worked towards and firmly believed in.” With these words, Automobile Club d’Italia President Geronimo La Russa commented on Formula 1’s announcement that it will organise the “F1 Live Milan” event in Milan from 18 to 20 February, featuring the presentation of the new season of the 2027 FIA Formula One World Championship.
“The decision,” explained the president of Italy’s motorsport governing body, “has a particular significance: Italy is the country that has hosted the highest number of Formula 1 Grands Prix in history, while Monza is the oldest circuit in the world still hosting rounds of the World Championship.”
“The work and capabilities of ACI,” added Geronimo La Russa, “which have once again been demonstrated during this weekend in Monza, therefore receive due recognition through this choice. In recent months, we have firmly believed in achieving this goal, and we will ensure the broadest possible cooperation for an event that carries particularly important significance for Italy and for our organisation.”
MONZA, THE GP GETS UNDERWAY IN ANTONELLI’S NAME AND VASSEUR. LA RUSSA: “IT WILL BE AN ITALIAN TRICOLOUR CELEBRATION”
The huge reception for Andrea Kimi Antonelli effectively marked the start of the 2026 Formula 1 Pirelli Italian Grand Prix, the 13th round of the World Championship. Thousands of people have already passed through the gates of the Autodromo Nazionale Monza for the opening of the Fanzone on Thursday afternoon, immediately creating an atmosphere charged with enthusiasm.
The main attraction was, of course, the bolognese Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver, who leads the World Championship and has had one of the Fanzone areas dedicated to him. Antonelli spent a long time with the fans, signing autographs, greeting the crowd and throwing caps into the stands.
A journey into Formula 1 history came when Antonelli climbed into the cockpit of the Mercedes W196 with which Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1954 World Championship. The legendary car was made available by MAUTO – the National Automobile Museum of Turin. It provided an ideal link between Mercedes’ glorious past and the present, represented by the young Italian talent.
Several of Italy’s rising stars who have come through the ACI Sport Federal School programme, from the Federal Supercourse to the various training activities undertaken since their karting days, also took to the Fanzone stage. Among them were Brando Badoer, Mattia Colnaghi, Matteo De Palo and Nicola Lacorte, all competing in Formula 3, as well as Gabriele Minì, one of the protagonists of Formula 2.
The day on stage was then brought to a close by Scuderia Ferrari HP Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur, who was greeted enthusiastically by the Monza crowd.
“Anticipation is growing, and the final preparations are also being completed for what promises to be a great celebration of Italian pride.” That was the message from Automobile Club d’Italia President Geronimo La Russa, who visited the Monza National Autodrome on Thursday afternoon ahead of the three-day Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend.
“We are expecting a record-breaking weekend,” said the president of Italy’s motorsport governing body, “with the Italian flag set to be more prominent than ever. We are expecting around 400,000 spectators, with all eyes on World Championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli and the Ferraris, which remain in the hearts of the fans at the Temple of Speed.”
The weekend’s programme will also feature a series of major events surrounding the race, including the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian national anthem performed by La Scala tenor Francesco Meli, and a show by Laura Pausini before the start.
“And, once again,” Geronimo La Russa added, “there will be the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian national anthem performed by La Scala tenor Francesco Meli, and Laura Pausini’s show before the start. Monza is therefore presenting itself in the best possible way for Italy’s biggest sporting event in terms of spectator numbers.”
Monza is ready. The celebration has already begun, but from tomorrow onwards, the track will take centre stage.
A PLAQUE IN THE RACE CONTROL ROOM TO COMMEMORATE 60 YEARS SINCE SCARFIOTTI’S VICTORY
Sixty years have passed since the last victory by an Italian driver in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. It was 1966 when Lodovico Scarfiotti, driving for Ferrari, claimed victory at the Brianza circuit, a triumph that still stands today as the last win by an Italian driver in his home Grand Prix.
To commemorate the achievement, Autodromo Nazionale Monza chose to honour Scarfiotti together with his family in a ceremony held at the heart of the circuit: the Race Director’s control room. It was a particularly meaningful location, chosen to pay tribute to one of the key figures in the history of the track.
During the ceremony, a plaque dedicated to Lodovico Scarfiotti was unveiled. Two further plaques were presented to Luigi Scarfiotti, the driver’s son, who was accompanied by his wife, Carlotta, and their son, named Lodovico after his grandfather.
The presence of the family created an ideal link between the 1966 victory and the generations that have kept its memory alive. The ceremony was attended by ACI Vice President Piergiorgio Re, Automobile Club Milano President Pietro Meda, Autodromo Nazionale Monza President Giuseppe Redaelli, and Automobile Club Macerata President Enrico Ruffini, who was accompanied by a local delegation also representing the Marche Region.
FORMULA 1 PIRELLI ITALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 PRESENTED IN MILAN
Anticipation is growing for the 2026 Formula 1 Pirelli Italian Grand Prix, which is set to be a record-breaking event and will bring an unprecedented audience and level of attention to Monza from September 3 to 6. The event at the Brianza circuit comes at the hottest point of the season, with Kimi Antonelli leading the World Championship and a competitive Ferrari ready to play its cards in front of its home crowd. It will therefore be a special edition for the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, which is preparing to host one of the most eagerly awaited Grands Prix of recent years.
The 2026 Italian Grand Prix was presented this morning at the headquarters of Automobile Club Milano, the institution that, in 1922, commissioned and built the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.
The press conference was attended by Attilio Fontana, President of the Lombardy Region; Paolo Pilotto, Mayor of Monza; Martina Riva, Councillor for Sport, Tourism and Youth Policies of the Municipality of Milan; and Marco Tronchetti Provera, Executive Chairman of Pirelli.
Also joining remotely was Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, took part via a video message.
The hosts were Geronimo La Russa, President of the Automobile Club d’Italia; Pietro Meda, President of Automobile Club Milano; and Giuseppe Redaelli, President of Autodromo Nazionale Monza.
During the ceremony, a commemorative painting of Lodovico Scarfiotti was presented to his son Luigi. The Marches-born driver was the last Italian to win his home Grand Prix, 60 years ago, at the wheel of a Ferrari.
For the occasion, the headquarters of Automobile Club Milano also hosted the Ferrari F399—the single-seater that competed in the 1999 World Championship—and a 1:1-scale Formula 1 car made entirely of papier-mâché by autistic young people from the Facciavista ETS association.
Attilio Fontana
President of the Lombardy Region
“Monza is history, legend and the beating heart of global motorsport. The Lombardy Region is proud to provide substantial and tangible support for this event, which is much more than a race: it is an economic driver worth hundreds of millions of euros, an opportunity to promote our region around the world, and an expression of Lombard identity. It embodies the passion of an entire country and the pride of Lombardy. It is also an event that stands for innovation and a connection with unique institutions such as Ferrari and with our talents, such as Andrea Kimi Antonelli.”
Geronimo La Russa
President of the Automobile Club d’Italia
“It is with a sense of truly Italian pride that we experience the moment which, more than any other, represents our country’s history and passion for motor racing. We do so in a season that is also a particularly successful one for Italian motorsport, with an outstanding Andrea Kimi Antonelli leading the World Championship, a competitive Ferrari that remains a cornerstone in the hearts of fans, and Racing Bulls carrying forward the history of Made in Italy.
“We arrive at this event following the records set in 2025, with 369,041 spectators and the fastest Grand Prix ever, won by Verstappen. This year, we aim to achieve even more. We have a circuit that is more than a century old and yet looks firmly towards the future. For 2027, we have approved a series of major projects and signed an agreement extending ACI’s concession for the Autodromo until 2044, guaranteeing its continuity and international role.”
Stefano Domenicali
President and CEO of Formula 1
“Monza week is a special one for all Formula 1 fans. The Italian Grand Prix is an important part of the history of our sport. Monza has a unique way of conveying something special: there is history, but also a passion that continues to grow and involves many different generations, especially an increasing number of young people.
“I would like to congratulate everyone on yet another sold-out event, which confirms the special relationship between Monza and Formula 1. This edition comes at a particularly special time for our country, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli leading the World Championship and a competitive Ferrari. All the ingredients are there for an exciting weekend.
“I would like to dedicate a special thought to the fans: they are the ones who make the atmosphere at Monza unique and give the world one of the most beautiful and recognisable images of Formula 1.”
Paolo Pilotto
Mayor of Monza and President of the Villa Reale and Monza Park Consortium
“This new edition of the Italian Grand Prix, eagerly awaited by hundreds of thousands of fans, comes at the end of an intense period of work and meetings over recent months, which has led to the extension until 2044 of the agreement between the Consortium managing the Villa Reale, its Gardens and Monza Park, and the Automobile Club d’Italia.
“This is a fundamental step in continuing the cooperation already established and ensuring that the historic Monza motorsport venue remains one of the world’s leading references for motor racing, while enabling investment, innovation and a forward-looking approach. During the same period, the Municipality of Monza approved five major redevelopment and modernisation projects that ACI will carry out to help preserve the uniqueness of the Autodromo Nazionale.
“Set within a park covering more than 700 hectares, the Temple of Speed continues to combine history and innovation, monumental heritage and sustainability, natural heritage and technology.”
Martina Riva
Councillor for Sport, Tourism and Youth Policies, Municipality of Milan
“During Grand Prix week, Milan changes pace: Formula 1 does not remain within the confines of the Autodromo, but enters the city, taking over its venues and streets and involving both Milanese residents and people arriving from all over the world to attend the Grand Prix.
“The Formula 1 weekend in Monza is one of the major events capable of presenting our region to an international audience. For Milan, it means offering opportunities to experience the city and strengthening a tourism model that, in recent years, has strongly focused on major sporting events.
“But it also means generating significant economic activity and, above all, employment. Behind the attendance figures, statistics and economic impact are thousands of people working in hotels, restaurants, transport, retail, services and event organisation. This is also why investing in the ability to attract major events means investing in the city and in the people who work here every day.
“This year, there is an additional reason for satisfaction: seeing a young Italian driver at the top of the World Championship standings and being able to welcome him to one of the iconic places in Formula 1 history.”
Pietro Meda
President of Automobile Club Milano
“The Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza is not simply a motor race: it is the event that symbolises our identity, our passion and the history of global motorsport. For Automobile Club Milano, this connection has a special meaning: Monza is ‘home’. Here, in 1922, our Club commissioned and built the Autodromo, creating a sporting facility that has become an international symbol and an asset for the local area.
“Monza is not only an iconic circuit, but also a place that speaks to young people who discover their passion for motorsport here, as well as to the talents who are shaping the future of Italian sport, with the pride of seeing Italy play a leading role.
“In 2026, we are once again strengthening our close cooperation with the local community, the Municipalities of Monza and Milan, the Lombardy Region and the national ACI, in order to offer fans, enthusiasts and industry professionals an increasingly modern and sustainable experience, one that is ready to meet the challenges of the future. We are ready to welcome visitors from all over the world for another unforgettable weekend.”
Marco Tronchetti Provera
Executive Chairman of Pirelli
“The relationship between Pirelli and Monza is deeply rooted in the history of motorsport. The first Grand Prix held at the circuit, inaugurated in 1922, was won by Pietro Bordino driving a Fiat 804 equipped with Pirelli tyres.
“Since then, the Italian Grand Prix has become the company’s home race. It was precisely at this circuit that, last year, Pirelli celebrated its 500th Grand Prix, 322 of which have been held continuously since 2011.
“The tyres used by single-seaters on circuits around the world are developed and tested indoors just a few kilometres from the Autodromo, at our research and development centre in Milan. The same facilities are also home to the development of products for road cars, which benefit from the technologies created in that open-air laboratory of innovation that is Formula 1.
“This unique connection between our two worlds makes the Italian Grand Prix a special event for Pirelli. That is why we chose to further strengthen our presence at the event by becoming, in 2022, the company’s 150th anniversary year, its Title Sponsor.
“Our presence is not limited to the sporting and technological dimensions. It also has a cultural expression through a multi-year project developed together with Pirelli HangarBicocca, which commissions Italian artists to create the trophy presented to the drivers on the podium.”
Giuseppe Redaelli
President of Autodromo Nazionale Monza
“Our commitment is to enhance the prestige of the Monza circuit by combining the satisfaction of those attending the Grand Prix with environmental, social and operational sustainability.
“For fans, among the new features we are offering are several modern-design grandstands, two new hospitality areas, 45 giant screens to experience every moment of the race, and a new audio system, which will also be useful in emergencies to reach every part of the circuit.
“There are numerous initiatives aimed at encouraging responsible behaviour among spectators: from water fountains to Food Donation initiatives to combat food waste; from inclusion initiatives in the paddock with PizzAut and L’Impronta to encouraging young people to take part in sport; from the ‘Speed to Zero’ campaign to the presentation of the first tangible results—made possible by the effective and increasingly close cooperation with local authorities—in the care and renewal of the Park following the 2023 storm.”
F1 GRID GIGS RETURNS IN MONZA, WITH A PERFORMANCE FROM LAURA PAUSINI
Formula 1 is bringing the music to fans around the world with the return of F1 Grid Gigs presented by American Express. The pre-race entertainment show which debuted in Austin last year and returned in Miami earlier this year, will return bigger than ever at the FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAN PREMIO D’ITALIA 2026. Grammy Award-winning Italian artist, Laura Pausini, will take to the F1 Grid Gigs stage, for a show designed with fans in mind that blends a unique mixture of music and motorsport.
Record-breaking singer-songwriter and global pop icon, Laura Pausini has sold more than 75 million records worldwide and achieved over 8 billion streams during her thirty-year career. As the first and only Italian artist to win a Grammy Award and enter the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, Pausini has been named by Billboard USA as one of the 10 best Latin pop artists worldwide. To date, Pausini has won five Latin Grammy Awards and was celebrated by the Latin Recording Academy as “Person of the Year 2023”. As the only Italian female singer to win a Golden Globe, Pausini has also been a nominee at the Emmy Awards and the Oscars.
Launched in 2025, F1 Grid Gigs was created to elevate the pre-race spectacle for fans at home, transforming the grid into a live stage and delivering unmissable entertainment in the moments before the drivers go wheel to wheel on track. This season has already seen Colombian urban music star Manuel Turizo perform at the return of F1 Grid Gigs in Miami, with further shows still to come, including its next stop in Austin.
The show is available for fans attending the Grand Prix and will also be livestreamed across Formula 1 social media platforms. The expansion of F1 Grid Gigs celebrates Formula 1’s continued connection with world class musicians, creating unforgettable moments for fans both at track and watching at home.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said:
“Monza is a unique fixture in the history of Formula 1, where passion and energy are felt in a special way. This year we are delighted to welcome Laura Pausini, an extraordinary Italian artist known and loved all over the world, who will perform in front of a sold-out crowd with our fans tuning in from all over the world. It will be a special moment and yet another example of how we aim to make our events ever more engaging for fans. Grid Gigs, in partnership with American Express, has already been a huge success and we can’t wait to experience this fantastic event together in Monza.”
Geronimo La Russa, ACI President, said:
“It is an honour to have with us, as a protagonist of this exceptional event, an internationally renowned artist such as Laura Pausini. It is yet another testament to how Italian excellence is at the heart of what is undoubtedly our country’s premier sporting event, one that is achieving record attendance on a global scale.”
Laura Pausini, said:
“Performing at the 2026 opening of the Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d’Italia is going to be so much fun. It’s not my first time attending a Formula 1 race, but it will be my first time performing at one, which makes it even more exciting. Bringing my music to this event in front of an audience united by the same passion and energy is an incredible joy. Music and Formula 1 have something in common: they both thrive on adrenaline and emotion and I can’t wait to share this moment and be part of an opening that celebrates this extraordinary energy.”
MONZA TO HOST ACI RACING WEEKENDS ON 24–26 SEPTEMBER AND 15–17 OCTOBER 2027
Autodromo Nazionale Monza will host two ACI Racing Weekend events in 2027, taking place on 24–26 September and 15–17 October. The announcement was made by ACI Sport, which has already finalized next season's racing calendar, confirming well in advance the dates for Italy's premier event dedicated to the Italian Circuit Racing Championships for modern cars.
Publishing the calendar several months ahead of the season helps teams, drivers, manufacturers, partners, race circuits and all industry stakeholders prepare more effectively, allowing for better planning of sporting, logistical and commercial activities.
During the first of the two race weekends, the Temple of Speed will host the fourth round of the Italian GT Sprint Championship and the penultimate round of the Italian F.4 Championship.
The second weekend will feature the fourth and final round of the Italian GT Endurance Championship, along with the fifth and final round of the GT4 Italy Series.
Mario Isola, General Manager of ACI Sport, commented:
"Finalizing the calendar several months in advance represents a significant organizational advantage. Giving teams, drivers, manufacturers, partners, race circuits and everyone involved in the industry the opportunity to plan their activities well ahead of time creates the conditions for an even more efficient and competitive season. This is a concrete step in the direction we want to take with the continued development of the entire ACI Racing Weekend project.
At the same time, ACI Sport is working to strengthen the communication strategy surrounding each race weekend by developing an increasingly comprehensive package of initiatives. Our goal is to deliver an experience that engages not only industry professionals, but also new investors, brands, manufacturers and new audiences through expanded hospitality opportunities, entertainment and enhanced promotion of the sporting event."
(Source: ACI Sport Press Release)
COUNTDOWN BEGINS: ONE MONTH TO GO UNTIL THE FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAN PREMIO D'ITALIA 2026
With one month to go until the Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d'Italia 2026, anticipation is already reaching fever pitch. The public's response once again confirms the unique appeal of Italy's Formula 1 race: alongside the traditional sell-out expected for Sunday, ticket availability for both Saturday and Friday is now also close to being exhausted. These figures demonstrate that the Monza Grand Prix remains one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the Formula 1 calendar—a race that fans from around the world are determined to experience, immersed in the unmistakable atmosphere of the Temple of Speed.
The 2026 edition is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of fans from across the globe, generating significant benefits for the local area and the wider hospitality sector. Monza once again confirms its status as the heart of Italian motorsport and one of the world's great capitals of motor racing, combining more than a century of history with the prestige of an event that continues to represent international excellence.
The official countdown to the Grand Prix will begin on Tuesday, 1 September at 11:00 a.m., with the presentation press conference taking place at the Automobile Club of Milan Hall. The venue has been chosen for its profound historical and symbolic significance: it was the Automobile Club of Milan that founded the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in 1922, creating one of the most legendary circuits in world motorsport.
Monza—the host city of the Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d'Italia and home of the Autodromo Nazionale Monza—will once again be the focal point of the weekend's institutional and sporting events. It is here that the entire event unfolds each year, welcoming hundreds of thousands of spectators, teams, partners, media representatives and international guests, transforming the city into a global hub for motorsport.
On Saturday evening, in the unique setting of the century-old Temple of Speed, the traditional Gala Dinner will bring together the highest representatives of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), Formula 1, national and local
institutions, as well as leading figures from the automotive industry and the world of sport. This choice once again underlines that Monza is not only the stage for the racing action, but also the place where the most prestigious and symbolic moments of the Italian Grand Prix are celebrated.
For more than a century, the city and its circuit have formed an inseparable partnership, recognised and admired throughout the world. The Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d'Italia continues to be far more than a race: it is a treasured asset of international sport, a driver of economic development for the region, and an extraordinary opportunity to showcase Monza and Italy to a global audience.
With just one month remaining before the lights go out, every indicator points towards a record-breaking edition, set to deliver spectacular crowds from Friday and Saturday onwards, before culminating on Sunday with the iconic sea of fans that makes the Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d'Italia one of the most celebrated and best-attended events on the entire Formula 1 World Championship calendar.