Author Archives: PressBox

Ferrari’s Monza weekend has become as much a strategy test as a speed contest, with Charles Leclerc saying Lewis Hamilton will have priority in choosing the team’s qualifying run order at the Italian Grand Prix. Leclerc said that could matter at Monza, where the long straights make slipstreaming valuable and Ferrari must get the timing right in qualifying as cars struggle for top speed under the 2026 engine rules. Ferrari will also bring its second and final permitted engine upgrade of the year, along with aerodynamic and power unit updates, as it tries to give both drivers the best chance of winning on home soil. Championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli will start from the back after an engine change.

Juan Pablo Montoya said the first corner on Sunday would be crucial because Ferrari’s race strategy is often decided there, and the driver out front can shape how the team handles the stint. He said whoever leads through the first chicane or on the opening lap will have a major strategic advantage. Montoya also said Ferrari wants to make a statement at home with its SF-26 upgrades, but the ongoing team-orders debate between Hamilton and Leclerc could add friction after the Dutch Grand Prix, where Hamilton was stuck behind Leclerc on fresher tires before Leclerc eventually gave up the place.

David Coulthard also warned Ferrari not to repeat the communication problems seen at Zandvoort, where Hamilton complained on the radio about being held up behind Leclerc and team principal Fred Vasseur had not told him the full strategy because he was worried rivals might be listening. Leclerc said Ferrari had been reviewing how it handled strategy after that criticism, and Coulthard said Ferrari should not hide its plan in Italy. He said the fastest car on the day should decide the result.

Lightning McQueen rolled into the Formula 1 paddock at Monza for a special Italian Grand Prix activation that marked 20 years of Disney and Pixar’s Cars. The appearance was the first time a Cars character had been included in Formula 1’s Disney partnership, and McQueen was shown with a new look for the occasion.

McQueen was scheduled to complete an honorary lap around the Italian circuit during the race weekend. Formula 1 also said a Mercedes-AMG safety car would carry a Cars-inspired livery as part of the celebration.

The Monza promotion included a new F1 x Disney and Pixar’s Cars merchandise range with die-cast vehicles, apparel, collectibles and accessories. Liam Lawson was photographed with the full-size McQueen car and a Piston Cup replica. Formula 1 and Disney have extended their Fuel the Magic campaign through the end of 2028, following earlier Disney appearances at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen said he had fully recovered from the flu-like illness that left him feeling very unwell during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend at Zandvoort. He said the week between races gave him time to rest after several days of illness, which he described as an “awful” weekend. He felt unwell from qualifying onward, before his race ended on the opening lap when he was caught out on a drying track at the final corner.

Looking ahead to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Verstappen said Red Bull had to be realistic about its chances. He said the team first needed to understand the energy-management demands of the high-speed circuit and did not expect “miracles” from a car that must balance engine and battery use in a 50-50 format. Verstappen also said other teams were bringing upgrades and that Red Bull was trying to learn more about the car for next year. At Monza, the FIA said Red Bull again had the best power unit under the second ADUO period, which means the team cannot develop it. Ferrari is also expected to bring an upgraded power unit to Monza. Red Bull is set to run Liam Lawson alongside Verstappen again, with Isack Hadjar still sidelined by a wrist injury.

F1 returns to Monza for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, and drivers expect the new cars to expose the limits of energy management under the FIA’s reduced 4MJ-per-lap harvesting cap. Lewis Hamilton said the cars will likely be 20 to 30 km/h slower at the end of the straights, and the familiar engine scream into the braking zones may be missing. The lower cap is intended to reduce super clipping and lift-and-coast.

Williams trackside engineer Paul Williams said energy management will be a key factor because Monza’s long straights, slow chicanes and limited braking zones make electrical recovery difficult. He said low-drag aerodynamics, slipstreaming, power deployment, braking stability, traction and qualifying preparation laps will all matter, while DRS and slipstream trains could blunt Monza’s usual overtaking advantage. Monza is also expected to feature four Straight Mode zones. Mike Krack expects slipstreaming to become critical and predicts a record amount of passing and repassing, but Arvid Lindblad said the lack of energy could leave too little speed difference for much overtaking.

Simulator runs suggest the weekend may be less severe than feared, though still awkward. Kimi Antonelli and Esteban Ocon said it could be less severe than expected, while Franco Colapinto and Lindblad called Monza tricky and slow; Lindblad said speed traps will not approach 350 kph and warned that bigger speed differences between push laps and cool laps could create safety issues in practice and qualifying, especially in traffic. Pirelli has brought its softest compounds, and Williams expects left-side tire wear to be the main limit, with a one-stop strategy likely. Williams also estimates a 40% chance of a Safety Car and a 30% chance of a Virtual Safety Car. Ferrari is targeting a strong home race with a special Michael Schumacher tribute livery and updated power unit, aerodynamic changes and rear wing. Antonelli faces a pitlane start after a Mercedes engine change, Haas is bringing a comprehensive update package, and McLaren’s recent form will be tested on Monza’s low-downforce layout.