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.