Italian Grand Prix: Stage Preview

      There are eleven Grands Prix left until the end of the season, assuming they all take place. Two more European races – Italy and Spain – and Formula 1 will head into the winter with away series before the winter begins. There is a slight chance that the season will finish in Imola, where frost is possible in early December. It is always interesting when teams and drivers face unusual conditions, but in the situation of several Grands Prix being canceled, the championship owners are primarily forced to address commercial issues, adhering to the minimum number of races allowed by contracts. Under Bernie and the then FIA, such issues were resolved quickly and in favor of the sport; now Formula 1 is ready to send teams to Imola in winter to finish the season at any cost. However, the winter race in Imola will surely be more interesting than the traditional race in Abu Dhabi.

      So, we are in for a tight series until the end of the season. Two races in a row - a week break - three in a row - a week break - three in a row - a week break - three in a row. Eleven races in 14 weeks. Time will fly by quickly!

      At the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, everyone in Formula 1 always talked about contracts. Some of the leaders would kick off the transfer season, which sometimes lasted until Christmas, but in recent years this issue has unexpectedly lost its urgency. In 2026, there is only one debutant – Arvid Lindblad in Racing Bulls, and regarding the lineups for 2027, there are almost no questions: will Esteban Ocon be fired from Haas F1, and will Lance Stroll stay? When has it ever happened that the extension of the reigning champion's contract was announced on a Saturday during a free week with a short release, as recently happened with Lando Norris? In fact, Norris and Verstappen signed important contracts. Now they are tied to their teams for another four years – thus slowing down the transfer market for years to come.

      The calm in the driver market before the start of the 2026 season was explained by the change in regulations. It was indeed difficult to predict the power dynamics; everyone wanted to see the results first before making decisions. And when the results became clear, everyone decided to stick with their own – refining the cars now gives incomparably greater effects than changing drivers. Almost every team considers its lineup the best. There are no more rent-drivers, nor is there dependence on sponsors that drivers used to bring. Formula 1 has become different. The regulations have changed, the world around has changed, and Formula 1 has adapted to it. Yes, some things had to be sacrificed, but there are also advantages. The driver lineup in recent years has indeed been strong.

      The Italian Grand Prix always takes place in September. In recent years, it has concluded the European part of the season, but changes have come here too – next week we will have the Spanish Grand Prix on a new track in Madrid. For the last two European races, teams will bring many innovations capable of changing the power dynamics, including new engines refined under the ADUO program. It is already known that championship leader Kimi Antonelli will receive a penalty in Monza for exceeding the allowed limit for replacing power unit components. By the end of the season, others will receive penalties as well, but Monza is a great place for such a replacement – it is relatively easy to make up for lost time on this track.

      With 11 races left in the season, Antonelli is 59 points ahead of Russell and Hamilton in the personal standings. It is clear that even after the end of the European part of the season, Kimi will remain the leader, but all the main events are still ahead. A year ago, Oscar Piastri confidently led before Italy, ultimately finishing the season in third place. It will be interesting to see how everything unfolds this time.