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Ferrari is preparing for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza next week with two major developments aimed at energising its home crowd. The Scuderia is expected to introduce a new engine that should significantly reduce its power deficit to Mercedes, while also hoping to revive its challenge in the world championship.
Lewis Hamilton currently sits second in the standings, level with George Russell, behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli. That position gives Ferrari an opportunity to turn its Monza package into more than a symbolic home-race upgrade. The new power unit could provide the performance step the team needs to put greater pressure on Mercedes and reopen the title fight.
The engine story will be closely watched, particularly after Hamilton’s recent frustration with Ferrari’s performance and decision-making. His unheard radio message from the Dutch Grand Prix highlighted how quickly small losses can become decisive when the fight at the front is so tight.
Ferrari’s technical ambitions will share the spotlight with an emotional tribute to Michael Schumacher, the seven-time German world champion whose legacy remains deeply connected to the Maranello team.
The Italian round takes place 30 years after Schumacher claimed his first victory with Ferrari in 1996 and 20 years after his final win for the team in 2006. Across that decade, he secured five world championships and 71 victories, establishing one of the most successful eras in Ferrari’s history.
The SF-26 cars of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will run a special livery dedicated to Schumacher. Monza, known as the Temple of Speed, will provide the stage for Ferrari to recognise a driver whose performances became part of the team’s mythology.
Schumacher has lived in an unknown condition since a dramatic skiing accident in Méribel on 29 December 2013. He is cared for by his wife, Corinna, and his family, who will have the opportunity to see the Formula 1 community’s enduring attachment to one of racing’s greatest figures.
Further initiatives dedicated to Schumacher are being prepared for Monza and are expected to be announced in the coming days. With the championship battle involving Antonelli and Ferrari, and the tribute adding another layer of significance, the 97th Italian Grand Prix is set to draw a huge crowd.
Keep Fighting Michael.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.