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The summer break is over, and Formula 2 returns this weekend for Round 10 of the 2026 season at Monza. The Temple of Speed is a favourite among drivers, teams and fans, while the closeness of the championship battle sets the stage for a critical weekend in Italy.
Before the action begins, the focus falls on three central storylines. For further Monza context, see our latest weekend preview.
Nikola Tsolov arrives as the Drivers’ Championship leader on 167 points, but Gabriele Minì is only 20 points behind and Rafael Câmara trails by 22. With relatively little of the season remaining, every point carries increasing weight.
Monza has previously played a decisive role in the title picture. In 2024, Gabriel Bortoleto began his championship comeback with an iconic Feature Race victory after starting last. Tsolov, Minì and Câmara will hope to avoid a similar grid position, but all three have already secured multiple victories and will be confident of returning to the top step.
The results will not settle the championship this weekend, yet a strong performance could provide valuable momentum for the closing phase of the season.
Alexander Dunne remains an outside contender, although he is now 59 points behind Tsolov. The Rodin Motorsport driver had enjoyed a consistent campaign, but he has not reached the podium since Barcelona. Damage in Qualifying at Budapest left him starting both races down the order, and he departed without a point.
Dunne has already demonstrated his ability in a Formula 2 car, and Monza offers a potential launch point for another comeback. Noel León, Kush Maini and Dino Beganovic will also be looking to reduce the deficit. The leading trio may hold a substantial advantage, but the championship remains open enough to encourage an aggressive fight.
Only two of Formula 2’s previous nine Monza pole-sitters converted pole into Feature Race victory: Oscar Piastri in 2021 and Luke Browning last season. Bortoleto won from last in 2024, while Tadasuke Makino triumphed from P14 and Mick Schumacher from seventh.
That record underlines why Friday’s result should not define a driver’s weekend. Pole remains a route to victory, but Monza has repeatedly rewarded those capable of fighting through the field.
TRIDENT and PREMA Racing will be seeking success on home soil. PREMA has won seven Formula 2 races at Monza, including a memorable double in 2023, when Frederik Vesti won the Sprint and Oliver Bearman took the Feature Race.
TRIDENT has two Monza podiums: Bent Viscaal finished second in 2021 and Richard Verschoor did so in 2024. With Laurens van Hoepen and John Bennett showing strong pace this year, the team will believe its first Monza victory is within reach. PREMA has endured a difficult season, but there is no better setting than home to begin a recovery.
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.