Breaking News: F1 Practice Today: Italian Grand Prix 2026 Schedule, …, …. and ….Read more

F1 Practice Today: Italian Grand Prix 2026 Schedule, …, …. and …

Everything you need to know ahead of Friday’s practice sessions at Monza

Formula 1 heads to the legendary Monza circuit this weekend for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, with the first Free Practice session getting underway today, Friday, September 4.

After a Sprint weekend at Zandvoort, the championship returns to its traditional format in Italy, meaning fans will have three practice sessions to watch before qualifying and Sunday’s main event.

There is plenty of intrigue heading into the weekend. Lando Norris arrives in Italy after claiming back-to-back victories for McLaren, strengthening his position in the battle for the drivers’ championship.

Meanwhile, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli heads to his home race as the championship leader. The Italian will be hoping to make history by becoming the first Italian driver in six decades to win the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. However, his hopes have already been complicated by an FIA grid penalty that he will have to serve.

Ferrari will also be under enormous pressure in front of the passionate Tifosi. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will both be aiming to deliver a memorable result for the Scuderia on home soil as Ferrari looks to add another Monza victory to its historic record.

F1 Practice Schedule – 2026 Italian Grand Prix

With there being no Sprint this weekend, the Italian Grand Prix follows the standard F1 weekend format, featuring three Free Practice sessions.

Friday, September 4

– FP1: 12:30 CEST

– FP2: 16:00 CEST

Saturday, September 5

– FP3: 12:30 CEST

FP1 Start Times

Location| Start time

Italy (CEST)| 12:30 Friday

UK (BST)| 11:30 Friday

USA (ET)| 06:30 Friday

USA (CT)| 05:30 Friday

USA (PT)| 03:30 Friday

Brazil (BRT)| 07:30 Friday

South Africa (SAST)| 12:30 Friday

Egypt (EEST)| 13:30 Friday

India (IST)| 16:00 Friday

Japan (JST)| 19:30 Friday

China (CST)| 18:30 Friday

Australia (AEST)| 20:30 Friday

UAE (GST)| 14:30 Friday

FP2 Start Times

Location| Start time

Italy (CEST)| 16:00 Friday

UK (BST)| 15:00 Friday

USA (ET)| 10:00 Friday

USA (CT)| 09:00 Friday

USA (PT)| 07:00 Friday

Brazil (BRT)| 11:00 Friday

South Africa (SAST)| 16:00 Friday

Egypt (EEST)| 17:00 Friday

India (IST)| 19:30 Friday

Japan (JST)| 23:00 Friday

China (CST)| 22:00 Friday

Australia (AEST)| 00:00 Saturday

UAE (GST)| 18:00 Friday

FP3 Start Times

The final practice session takes place on Saturday, September 5, ahead of qualifying.

– Italy (CEST): 12:30

– UK (BST): 11:30

– USA (ET): 06:30

– USA (CT): 05:30

– USA (PT): 03:30

– Brazil (BRT): 07:30

– South Africa (SAST): 12:30

– Egypt (EEST): 13:30

– India (IST): 16:00

– Japan (JST): 19:30

– China (CST): 18:30

– Australia (AEST): 20:30

How to Watch Italian Grand Prix Practice

Broadcast rights for Formula 1 vary depending on the country, so fans will need to check their regional broadcaster or streaming service.

Country/Region| Broadcaster

United Kingdom| Sky Sports, Channel 4

United States| Apple TV

Italy| Sky Italia

Australia| Fox Sports, Foxtel, Kayo, Network Ten

Canada| RDS, TSN

Germany| Sky Deutschland, RTL

France| Canal+

Spain| DAZN

Netherlands| Viaplay, Viaplay Xtra, Viaplay TV

Japan| Fuji TV, DAZN

China| Shanghai TV, Guangdong Television, Tencent

Mexico| Fox Sports Mexico

Singapore| beIN SPORTS

Brazil| Bandeirantes

Austria| Servus TV, ORF

Belgium| RTBF, Telenet

Hungary| M4 Sport

Middle East & Turkey| beIN SPORTS

Africa| SuperSport

Latin America| ESPN

What to Expect at Monza

Monza is one of the fastest and most historic circuits on the F1 calendar, making practice particularly important as teams fine-tune their cars for the track’s long straights and demanding braking zones.

The opening sessions should provide an early indication of which teams have found the right setup. McLaren will be eager to maintain its recent momentum, Mercedes will be closely watched because of Antonelli’s championship position, while Ferrari faces the enormous expectation of its home crowd.

With Hamilton and Leclerc carrying Ferrari’s hopes, Norris chasing another victory and Antonelli attempting to make Italian history, Friday’s running promises to be a fascinating start to the Italian Grand Prix weekend.