Hamilton set for second Ferrari Italian GP at Monza with Schumacher tribute and upgraded SF-26
Lewis Hamilton calls Monza with Ferrari 'the best feeling' as he returns for a second Italian GP alongside celebrations for Michael Schumacher.
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What Happened
Lewis Hamilton will make his second Italian Grand Prix start with Scuderia Ferrari HP at Monza on 3 September 2026, one year after his first weekend in red. The race weekend includes celebrations honouring Michael Schumacher. Ferrari's SF-26 will also carry an upgraded power unit at Monza, a development Hamilton welcomes.
“It's the best feeling. It's an honour and a privilege to come to Italy, to such an iconic race, as a Ferrari driver. This is the second year I've experienced this special moment, and I don't think it's something you could ever get used to.”
Hamilton grew up watching Michael Schumacher's Ferrari era on television and choosing the German driver in video games. Those Sunday afternoons made him imagine what it would be like to be in Schumacher's position. Today he experiences that position as a Ferrari driver himself.
“I always remember Michael in the red car. I thought about what it would be like to be in his shoes, and today I have the privilege of experiencing that. He was a great leader and did an incredible job throughout his career. I also had the privilege of racing alongside him in Formula 1, and that meant a lot to me.”
Hamilton is encouraged by Ferrari's recent progress, and the SF-26 will feature an upgraded power unit at Monza, a step he sees as positive while stressing there is still work to be done. He says the team has done a huge amount of work and continues to bring developments to the car. With the championship margins so close at the front, he believes Ferrari has what it takes to win if everything goes according to plan from the very first lap of free practice.
“Every little improvement helps. When I go back to the factory, I see how hard everyone is working and how much enthusiasm they have. The team has done a huge amount of work, everyone pulling together continuing to bring developments to the car.”
“I believe this team has what it takes to win. But with the margins so close at the front, everything has to go according to plan from the very first lap of free practice.”
Previously from Ferrari N.V.
At the preceding Dutch Grand Prix weekend, Hamilton said Ferrari had built 'solid foundations' over the first half of the season. Charles Leclerc stressed that the team must keep making progress as the second half began with a Sprint format at Zandvoort. Hamilton qualified seventh for that Sprint after a small mistake, while Leclerc took third.
- Hamilton says Ferrari built "solid foundations" over first half of F1 season
- Leclerc says Ferrari must keep making progress as Dutch GP weekend begins
- Leclerc third, Hamilton seventh in Dutch GP Sprint Qualifying
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Ferrari N.V.'s official releases.
Why this matters
Lewis Hamilton's second Monza weekend in a Ferrari comes one year after his first and coincides with tributes to Michael Schumacher, the driver he idolized as a child. The race also matters competitively because Ferrari is introducing an upgraded power unit on the SF-26, and Hamilton says small gains and flawless execution decide winners in a close championship. His comments show how personal history and development work shape a Formula 1 weekend.
Terms in This Story
- power unit
- In Formula 1, the car's engine and its associated energy-recovery systems, often abbreviated as PU.
- free practice
- Official practice sessions held before qualifying, used by teams to tune the car and gather track data.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.