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.
TODAY, THE CONCESSION FOR AUTODROMO NAZIONALE MONZA TO ACI WAS SIGNED, EXTENDING UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2044
Today, Tuesday, August 4, 2026, in Monza, an agreement was signed between the Consorzio Villa Reale e Parco di Monza, the Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI), and Autodromo Nazionale Monza, amending and extending the duration of the circuit's concession until December 31, 2044.
The agreement was signed by Paolo Pilotto, President of the Consorzio Villa Reale e Parco di Monza and Mayor of the City of Monza; Bartolomeo Corsini, Director General of the Consorzio Villa Reale e Parco di Monza; and—on behalf of Geronimo La Russa, President of the Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI)—General Tullio Del Sette, member of ACI's National Governing Council, together with Giuseppe Redaelli, President of SIAS–Autodromo Nazionale Monza.
Photo (left to right): General Tullio Del Sette, Paolo Pilotto, Giuseppe Redaelli, Bartolomeo Corsini.
RAIN AND THRILLING RACES HIGHLIGHT THE EUROCUP-3 AND FX RACING WEEKEND AT MONZA
Bad weather added even more drama to Sunday’s action at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. The opening Predator's Trophy race was suspended shortly after the start, while running behind the Safety Car, due to a heavy downpour that severely reduced grip on the circuit. After the interruption, the race resumed on a still wet track, with Riccardo Tocu emerging victorious following a thrilling battle with Giacomo Pellegrino. The two drivers crossed the finish line separated by just 0.012 seconds, with Tocu taking the win by a mere 12 thousandths. Andrea Campagna completed the podium in third place.
The Predator's Trophy returned to the track later in the afternoon under completely different conditions, with sunshine and high temperatures, but delivered another dramatic finish. This time, Andrea Zaniboni claimed victory by just 0.058 seconds over Tocu and his brother Samuele Zaniboni.
The Topjet 2000 race also started behind the Safety Car because of the wet track. Swiss driver Sandro Zeller (Jo Zeller Racing) celebrated victory, further extending his championship lead. Andrea Benalli (Puresport) finished second, ahead of Riccardo Perego (Corbetta Racing), winner of Saturday's race.
The Mitjet Italian Series also had to contend with difficult track conditions and got underway behind the Safety Car. Andrea De Marco took the win, finishing just three tenths of a second ahead of Edoardo Prioglio, while Gianpaolo Orlandi completed the podium.
The Super Sport GT race likewise started behind the Safety Car. Victory went to cousins Matteo and Gioele Pollini in their Lamborghini Super Trofeo EVO2, who finished just over one second ahead of brothers Giorgio and Giulio Bacco in the Reparto Corse RAM Ferrari 296 Challenge. Third place went to the Argentine-Paraguayan pairing of Pablo Benites and Lien Oscar Bitar Benitez, also driving a Reparto Corse RAM Ferrari 296 Challenge.
The Eurocup-3 race, the first to be held on a fully dry track, saw American driver James Egozi (Palou Motorsport) claim his sixth victory of the season. The Spanish team completed a one-two finish thanks to Brazilian Heitor Dell'Agnol, while Dutchman René Lammers (MP Motorsport), son of former Formula 1 driver Jan Lammers, secured third place.
With the sun once again beating down on the circuit, Sunday's Prototype Cup Europe race was won by Germany's Valentino Catalano and American Danny Soufi in the GMS Team Ligier JS P325. They finished ahead of Sweden's Emil Hellberg, winner of Saturday's race, driving the Ligier JS P325 entered by AlRay Racing. Third place went to Germany's Maxim Dirickx and Britain's Nigel Moore, also competing in a Ligier JS P325 fielded by ANS Motorsport.
Race 2 of the FX Pro Series was won by Salvatore Liotti, who finished ahead of Saturday's winner Giulio Luci. Claudio Tempesti secured third place after edging out Argentina's Joaquín Rubino in a sprint to the finish line.
Mateo Valente dictated the pace in Sunday's X-F3 race. The Paraguayan driver was joined on the podium by Sandro De Virgilis and Andrea Masci.
EUROCUP-3: ANOTHER VICTORY FOR EGOZI AT MONZA. LAMBORGHINI SHINES IN SUPER SPORT GT
Second day of action at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, where the weekend featuring Eurocup-3 and the FX Series continued under extreme weather conditions. Drivers and teams had to cope with exceptionally high temperatures, with track temperatures reaching 60°C and the air hovering around 35°C, putting both drivers and machinery under intense strain.
In Eurocup-3, James Egozi (Palou Motorsport) claimed his fifth victory of the season, further strengthening his status as one of the championship's standout performers. He crossed the finish line ahead of teammate Rafael Perard of France, securing a valuable one-two finish for the Spanish team. Third place went to Dutch driver René Lammers (MP Motorsport), son of Jan Lammers, who competed in Formula 1 between 1979 and 1982 and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1988.
In the FX Pro Series, local driver Riccardo Perego (Corbetta Racing), who hails from nearby Missaglia, celebrated victory at his home circuit ahead of Swiss drivers Kurt Bohlen and championship leader Sandro Zeller, both representing Jo Zeller Racing.
The race was red-flagged shortly after the start following two separate incidents. The first involved Laurence Balestrini and Arthur Lorimier, while the second saw Domenico Terron and Giuseppe Marinaro come together.
Swedish driver Emil Hellberg claimed victory in the Prototype Cup Europe aboard an Allay Racing Ligier JS P325. Joining him on the podium were the pairing of Germany's Valentino Catalano and American Danny Soufi (Ligier, GSM Team), followed by Denmark's Tobias Bille Clausen and Germany's Mattis Pluschkell (Duqueine D09, BWT Mücke Motorsport).
In the Predator Trophy, Riccardo Tocu (GRT Motorsport) secured pole position with a lap of 2:13.044, averaging 156.8 km/h.
Race 1 of the Super Sport GT was won by Mirko Zanardini and Giovanni Brendan (Lamborghini Huracán GT3, Giust Preparazioni), who finished 30 seconds ahead of Argentinians Pablo Benites and Oscar Lien Bitar Benitez (Ferrari 296 Challenge, Reparto Corse RAM). Third place went to Giulio and Giorgio Bacco (Ferrari 296 Challenge, Reparto Corse RAM).
Giulio Luci claimed his maiden FX Pro Series (Tatuus T014) victory after edging Salvatore Liotti by just two tenths of a second in a thrilling finish. Argentine Jaquin Rubino completed the podium despite starting from the pit lane following a technical issue. Monza also proved a lucky venue for Andrea Masci, who celebrated his first victory in the X F3 category.
The Mitjet Italian Series also delivered an exciting contest, with Gianpaolo Orlandi prevailing in a dramatic sprint to the finish ahead of Frenchman Tomas Laisne and Alessandro Raimondi, completing a clean sweep for Team Costa Ovest.
The action continues tomorrow. Admission to the Autodromo Nazionale Monza is free (parking charges apply), while the paddock is reserved for accredited personnel. The Fanzone will once again be open, featuring a kids' area, DJ sets and a relaxation area.