The starting grid for the Italian Grand Prix will be decided this Saturday, September 5th in Monza. Find out the start time of the qualifying sessions.
It’s time for qualifying in Monza! After the three free practice sessions, the drivers will now fight for pole position at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix on one of the fastest circuits on the Formula 1 calendar.
The qualifying session will take place this Saturday, September 5th starting at 4:00 PM, local time in Monza. This is also 4:00 PM in France and Belgium.
What time to watch qualifying in Monza?
The Italian Grand Prix qualifying will therefore start at 4:00 PM and will follow the traditional format consisting of three parts: Q1, Q2, and Q3.
Before that, the drivers will have one last chance to work on their setups during FP3. This final session will be particularly important for the teams after a first day that has already given some indications about the hierarchy in Monza.
Mercedes notably showed a particularly interesting pace on Friday, while Ferrari will still need to work on its SF-26 after the difficulties encountered by Lewis Hamilton during FP2.
A crucial qualifying in the Temple of Speed
The fight for pole promises to be particularly interesting on the Italian track. The long straights of Monza traditionally make slipstreaming an important element of qualifying, but its influence could be even greater with the new generation power units used this season.
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Traffic management will therefore be crucial. Drivers will seek to benefit from slipstreaming without getting too close to another car in braking zones.
For Kimi Antonelli, the challenge will be different. The championship leader is condemned to start from the back of the grid after installing a new power unit on his Mercedes. The Italian also confirmed that he could help George Russell by providing slipstreaming if his team asks him to.
Saturday’s schedule in Monza
The day will start with the third free practice session, the last rehearsal before the teams definitively switch to qualifying configuration.
The most important session will then begin at 4:00 PM, with Q1. The five slowest drivers will be eliminated before the same scenario repeats in Q2. The final ten competitors will meet in Q3 to fight for pole position.
So, see you at 4:00 PM this Saturday, September 5th for the qualifying of the 2026 Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
Read more FP2: Mercedes reacts, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli flank Charles Leclerc