Hamilton Targets Record Sixth Italian GP Win in Ferrari’s Home Race

Posted : 03 September 2026

Lewis Hamilton will aim to strengthen his bid for an unprecedented eighth Formula 1 world championship when he takes on the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Sunday. The Ferrari driver is chasing a record sixth victory at the iconic circuit, where he currently shares the record with fellow seven-time champion Michael Schumacher.

Hamilton heads into Ferrari’s home race 59 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli after 12 rounds. The Italian rookie has enjoyed an impressive campaign with Mercedes, collecting six victories, while Hamilton has won once and teammate George Russell has taken two wins.

The Briton has received a potential boost ahead of the weekend, with Ferrari introducing a second power-unit upgrade of the season. Team principal Fred Vasseur described the development as a positive step, although he stressed that the margins between the leading teams remain extremely small.

Antonelli, meanwhile, faces a major setback at his home Grand Prix. Mercedes have elected to fit a new power unit, triggering a penalty that will force the 20-year-old to start from the back of the grid. The decision was made with the championship in mind, despite the disappointment it could cause among the Italian supporters.

The Monza weekend will carry additional significance for Ferrari as the team celebrates the 30th anniversary of Schumacher's first Italian Grand Prix victory with the Scuderia. Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will race in a special livery inspired by Schumacher's Ferrari 310, adding to the emotion surrounding the event.

Hamilton has enjoyed considerable success at Monza, winning five times between 2012 and 2018. He will be looking for another strong performance after a frustrating Dutch Grand Prix, where he had hoped Ferrari could improve its execution and strategy.

Leclerc will also be determined to deliver for the home crowd. The Monegasque has already won at Monza twice, in 2019 and 2024, and will be targeting a third triumph as Ferrari attempt to capitalize on their upgraded package.

McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are expected to remain in contention after strong recent performances, while Max Verstappen could pose an even bigger threat. The Red Bull driver, who has won at Monza three times, will have an updated Honda power unit as he looks to recover from his early retirement at his home race in Zandvoort.

With Monza's long straights and high-speed layout creating opportunities for overtaking and recovery drives, Antonelli's fight back from the rear could become one of the weekend's biggest storylines. Meanwhile, Hamilton and Ferrari will see the Italian Grand Prix as a major opportunity to close the championship gap.

Hamilton Targets Record Sixth Italian GP Win in Ferrari’s Home Race

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