Monza (Italy) (AFP) - Briton Lewis Hamilton seeks to strengthen his hopes of winning the World Drivers' Championship title for the eighth time, in an unprecedented achievement, when he races in the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, searching for his record sixth victory at the Monza circuit, the home of the Ferrari team.

Published on: 09/03/2026 - 11:55

In his effort to reduce the 59-point difference with the young local hero Kimi Antonelli, who won six victories this season with Mercedes, Hamilton, 41, received encouraging news before the race.

The Italian manufacturer intends to introduce an updated power unit, at a time when Antonelli, 20, will face a penalty on the starting line due to the use of a new engine.

Hamilton shares the record for the number of victories at the Italian Grand Prix, with five victories, with German legend Michael Schumacher, seven-time world champion.

Ferrari is recalling this memory, as it celebrates the 30th anniversary of Schumacher's first victory in his local race, which he achieved in his first season with the team, through a special design for the team's car and the clothing of its members.

This emotional touch will add more emotion to the anticipated atmosphere, as the Italians’ favorite sports team, Ferrari, collides with the new local hero, Antonelli, who has curly hair and who in turn hails from Emilia-Romagna, the homeland of Ferrari, on the historic circuit known as the “Temple of Speed.”

On the eve of the 13th round of the World Championship this season, and one of the most prestigious and passionate rounds of Formula One, Antonelli leads the standings with 242 points, while his British Mercedes colleague George Russell and Hamilton follow him with 183 points each.

Russell ranks second thanks to his superiority in the number of victories, having achieved two victories this season compared to one victory for Hamilton.

For Hamilton, Montsa has always been a track full of success. He claimed five victories at the old Royal Park circuit between 2012 and 2018, and will hope Ferrari has responded to his criticism of poor teamwork and strategy during last month's Dutch Grand Prix, which McLaren driver and British world champion Lando Norris won.

As for his teammate, Charles Leclerc from Monaco, he will also have his own motivations to shine, including striving to achieve his third victory in Italy, after his two remarkable victories in 2019 and 2024.

-"We are not here for propaganda" -

Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur has confirmed that his team, along with Audi and Honda, will participate in the Italian Grand Prix with an upgraded power unit.

“It's a step in the right direction, and as we know, this season is all about making small wins,” Vasseur said.

He added: "Montsa is a very demanding circuit, and the differences between the competitors are very small, so our priority will be to implement every aspect of the weekend in the best possible way."

His counterpart at Mercedes, Toto Wolff, acknowledged that imposing a penalty on Antonelli, which would mean the championship leader starting from the bottom of the starting line, would not be very popular with the Italian fans.

Antonelli, instead of focusing on grabbing pole position and winning, will have to pay more attention to tire management, strategy and overtaking competitors.

However, Montsa is one of the few fast circuits that offer the possibility of exceptional races to come back from behind.

Speaking about the team's decision to change Antonelli's engine, Wolff said: "Clearly the algorithms do not take nationality into account."

He added: "We are here to compete for the world championship, not to achieve the greatest amount of publicity."

After the strong performance by Norris and McLaren in Zandvoort, the British driver, who strengthened the team's ranks with a new long-term and lucrative contract, and his Australian colleague Oscar Piastri, may also enter the competition circle.

But the strongest challenge may come from last year's race champion, Dutchman Max Verstappen.

The four-time world champion will receive an updated power unit from Honda in his Red Bull car, seeking to achieve his fourth victory in the last five years.

New Zealander Liam Lawson will continue to participate alongside him in the absence of Frenchman Ishak Hajjar, who is recovering from a broken wrist.

Japanese Yuki Tsunoda will also continue to replace Lawson in the Racing Bulls team.

Verstappen, who retired from the race after an accident on the first lap of the race held in his country, said, “Not completing the race in Zandvoort was disappointing, but seeing the fans in the circuit for the last time was a special moment for me.”

He added: “Montsa is one of my favorite tracks, and I love that it is a fast, old-school track. I always enjoy racing here.”

© 2026 AFP

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