F1 Qualifying Today: 2026 Italian Grand Prix Start Time, TV Coverage and F….. full details in the comments section 👇

Formula 1 returns to the legendary Monza circuit this weekend for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, and the focus turns to one of the most important sessions of the weekend: qualifying. With the championship battle becoming increasingly intense, Saturday’s session promises plenty of drama as drivers fight for the best possible starting positions for Sunday’s race.

The Italian Grand Prix is being held from September 4–6 at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, one of the fastest and most historic venues on the Formula 1 calendar. Qualifying takes place on Saturday, September 5, following the final practice session earlier in the day.

When does F1 qualifying start today?

Qualifying for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. local time in Italy on Saturday.

Before qualifying, the drivers will have one final opportunity to prepare their cars during FP3, which begins at 12:30 p.m. local time. Teams will use the session to make their final adjustments before the battle for pole position begins.

For international viewers, the exact start time will depend on their location. Fans should check their local broadcaster or streaming service to make sure they do not miss the opening minutes of qualifying.

Why qualifying at Monza matters

Starting position is particularly important at Monza because the circuit combines extremely long straights with heavy braking zones. While overtaking is possible, beginning near the front can provide a major strategic advantage.

Ferrari will be under enormous pressure at its home race, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc hoping to give the passionate Italian supporters something to celebrate. Hamilton is also chasing an opportunity to close the championship gap, making every qualifying position potentially significant.

Mercedes arrives at Monza in a strong position after George Russell topped FP2, narrowly ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and teammate Kimi Antonelli. That result suggests the battle for pole could be extremely close.

Antonelli, meanwhile, faces an unusual situation at his home Grand Prix. Although he leads the drivers’ championship, a power-unit change means he is set to receive a grid penalty and start Sunday’s race from the back. Consequently, his qualifying performance will be important for momentum, even though his final race starting position will be affected.

Where can fans watch qualifying?

Broadcast options vary depending on the country. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports F1 provides live coverage of the entire weekend, while other territories have their own official broadcasters and streaming platforms.

In Italy, Sky Sport carries the live Formula 1 coverage, while TV8 provides free-to-air coverage for selected sessions and events. Some other European markets also have free viewing options through their local broadcasters.

Fans should check the availability in their own country because free streaming rights differ from one region to another.

What happens after qualifying?

Once the qualifying session concludes, the grid for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix will become much clearer. The race itself is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, September 6, with drivers facing 53 laps around the 5.793-kilometre Monza circuit.

For fans, Saturday’s qualifying session could provide the first major indication of who has the strongest package for race day. With Mercedes showing impressive pace, Ferrari fighting for a home victory and McLaren’s Lando Norris arriving after consecutive wins, the battle for pole promises to be one of the weekend’s biggest highlights.

Qualifying: Saturday, September 5, 2026
Location: Monza, Italy
Start time: 4:00 p.m. local time
Race: Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. local time.