Lewis Hamilton is chasing a record sixth Italian Grand Prix victory and the first Monza win by a Black Ferrari driver when racing resumes on September 6.
Lewis Hamilton can become the first Black driver to win Formula 1’s Italian Grand Prix for Ferrari when racing resumes at Monza on September 6. The seven-time champion finished second to George Russell in final practice, giving him a genuine chance to deliver a historic result for Ferrari in qualifying.
A rare Ferrari opportunity
Ferrari has won its home Grand Prix 20 times since the Formula 1 championship began in 1950. Alberto Ascari claimed the first of those victories in 1951, and Charles Leclerc delivered the latest in 2024.
Hamilton joined that line of winners in 2026. He secured his first Ferrari victory at Barcelona-Catalunya on June 14, extending his Formula 1 wins record after moving from McLaren to Mercedes and then Maranello.
Hamilton’s Monza record
Hamilton already holds a share of the Italian Grand Prix victory record. His five wins in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018 equal Michael Schumacher’s total.
Victory number six would leave Hamilton alone at the top.
The comparison has added significance at Ferrari. Schumacher won the Italian Grand Prix for the Scuderia in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006, so each of his five victories belongs to Ferrari history. Hamilton took one of his previous Monza wins with McLaren and four with Mercedes.
One record, three teams
No driver has won the Italian Grand Prix with three different constructors. Stirling Moss came closest, winning for Maserati in 1956 and Vanwall in 1957 before taking the 1959 race in a Cooper entered by Rob Walker Racing.
Hamilton can now add Ferrari to McLaren and Mercedes. Doing so would distinguish his Monza record from Schumacher’s sweep with one team and Nelson Piquet’s victories for Brabham and Williams.
Ferrari faces Mercedes speed
Current form adds another dimension to the history. Russell finished ahead of Hamilton in final practice on September 5, extending Mercedes’ strong Monza weekend after the team led Friday’s second session.
Ferrari opened the weekend with a practice one-two headed by Leclerc and brought an engine upgrade to its home race. Hamilton called a Ferrari pole at Monza the “ultimate dream,” but Mercedes went into qualifying with the strongest single-lap benchmark.
The next entry in Monza’s ledger
Hamilton has one victory in 2026, while Russell has won twice and Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli has six wins. Leclerc delivered Ferrari’s other victory at Silverstone on July 5.
Qualifying on September 5 will determine whether Hamilton begins Sunday with a realistic path to a record sixth Italian Grand Prix win and his first Monza victory in Ferrari red.
