Lewis Hamilton has described Ferrari's new engine package for the Italian Grand Prix as progress, though he stopped short of calling it a complete solution to the team's performance gap. The upgraded power unit, which both Hamilton and team-mate Charles Leclerc will run this weekend, represents the second of two permitted engine developments Ferrari can introduce during the 2026 season.
Hamilton currently sits level on points with Mercedes driver George Russell in the drivers' championship, trailing leader Kimi Antonelli by 59 points. Both Hamilton and Leclerc have claimed one victory each so far this year, but Ferrari has struggled with straight-line speed throughout the campaign.
"Every little helps. Until this point of the year, even last race, we were losing 0.4secs a lap (on the straights). We have carried that deficit," Hamilton said. "This is a step forward. It is not the whole amount we need but we knew that was the case. I strongly believe we have what it takes to win."
According to Sky Sports, the upgraded engine package is expected to include a new turbocharger and revised combustion chamber, with some technical outlets estimating a performance gain of approximately 15 horsepower. The package was first developed following Ferrari's initial upgrade at the Austrian Grand Prix in June, which Hamilton used to secure a victory at that event.
Ferrari's corner speed has remained competitive throughout the season, but the deficit on the straights has consistently cost the team tenths of a second per lap. Monza, with its long straights and limited braking zones, presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the upgrade to demonstrate its effectiveness.
What are the championship implications?
Antonelli's position as championship leader will be tested this weekend by a grid penalty for exceeding his permitted allocation of four engines for the season. The Mercedes driver is expected to start from the back of the grid, a consequence of reliability issues earlier in the year that forced the team to use additional power units.
Hamilton acknowledged the strategic thinking behind Mercedes' decision to take the penalty at Monza.
"There is big gap between the top teams and the rest. Kimi will start from the back but with the power he has, and the performance he has, he should slide through that pack pretty easy and it's probably why they chose this race to do that. So achieving eighth or sixth should be relatively easy."
George Russell, Hamilton's former Mercedes team-mate, is also expected to receive an engine penalty, most likely at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in two races' time. The staggered penalties allow Mercedes to manage their engine pool through the remainder of the season while minimising the impact on championship points.
How will the energy-starved conditions affect the race?
Monza's unique characteristics—dominated by high-speed straights with limited opportunities for energy recovery—will place the hybrid power units under significant strain. Drivers are expecting the battery systems to be depleted for a higher percentage of each lap than at most other circuits this season, creating challenging and potentially frustrating conditions.
Antonelli predicted that slipstreaming, which reduces drag and conserves energy, would become a major tactical element in both qualifying and the race itself.
"I am very much looking forward to this weekend despite starting from the back. I will be able to enjoy it more than I did previously and hopefully we will still be able to have a good race. In some ways it helps to release pressure, although I would very much rather fight for pole and start at the front."
The Mercedes driver added that while speed would remain relatively flat on the straights, the situation would prove
"better than many expected"and that the track's characteristics offered opportunities to recover positions through the field.
What does Hamilton need to win at Monza?
For Hamilton, a victory at Monza would carry profound significance.
"To win this weekend, the whole collective has to come together. Everything has to flow from the beginning," he said. "There is a first ahead of me, in the sense of if I was to win I go into new territory winning for the first time in Ferrari at Monza. It would be phenomenal."
The seven-time world champion emphasised the emotional weight of the occasion, noting the passion of the Italian fans and the presence of his mother at the circuit.
"The pressure's high. You want to do it for the team. Many of them will come to this race. The tifosi come out in huge numbers with a passion that's unmatched. And my mum's here. I don't think she's been to Monza, and certainly not (while I was) with Ferrari. I wanted her to experience this and bring any lucky dust she can bring."
Hamilton's recent form has shown improvement following his Austrian victory, though Ferrari's setback at that same event highlighted the inconsistency the team has faced this season. The new engine upgrade, combined with the team's existing corner-speed advantage, provides a foundation for a competitive weekend, but Hamilton was realistic about the challenges ahead.
Hamilton's arrival in an iconic Ferrari
Hamilton arrived at Monza on Thursday for media day in a 1980s Ferrari F40, a car he described as a long-held dream. The supercar, which he drove to the circuit to highlight Ferrari's historical significance, carries a remarkable personal connection to the driver.
The particular F40 Hamilton selected has an extraordinary provenance: it was purchased by its previous owner, who drove it just 69 kilometres from Maranello to his home and then left it parked, never driving it again. After extensive consideration about whether to preserve it as an art piece or restore it to working condition, Hamilton chose to bring it back to life.
"I have been looking for one for a while. I wanted one with low mileage and a story behind it. Lots have come up at auction but not particularly special. Or the paint's been redone. I wanted to find the most authentic one."
The discovery of an unexpected detail deepened Hamilton's sense of connection to the machine.
"When they were taking the car apart... it has 44 stamped on the engine. I couldn't believe it. So it feels very much fate."Hamilton's race number is 44, a coincidence he found remarkable. He added:
"I might be wrong but none of the Ferrari drivers in history have ever arrived in the coolest car in history."
What happens next?
The Italian Grand Prix weekend begins on Friday, 5 September 2026, with free practice sessions scheduled for 11:30am and 3:00pm UK time, according to Sky Sports. Qualifying takes place on Saturday, 6 September at 3:00pm BST, with the race itself scheduled for Sunday, 6 September at 2:00pm BST, as listed on ESPN's schedule.
The race marks the 15th round of the 2026 F1 season and represents a crucial opportunity for both Hamilton and Ferrari to demonstrate the effectiveness of their new engine package against competitors including McLaren and Red Bull, who are also expected to be competitive at Monza.
