3 September 2026 15:00 (UTC)
The final European double-header of the season begins in Monza, and there's plenty to catch up on before racing gets underway in Italy
One of the jewels in the calendar is up next as we take on the Temple of Speed in Monza.
Our drivers have been busy in the two weeks since the Dutch Grand Prix, where we claimed a second consecutive victory. Meanwhile, fans have been feverishly planning their trips to Monza, with plenty to experience both at the circuit and across the surrounding area.
Here are all the things you should be looking out for at the Italian Grand Prix.
The biggest news since Lando’s victory at the Dutch Grand Prix is that the World Champion has signed a new deal with us. The contract keeps LN1 with McLaren until at least 2030, with an option to extend his stay beyond that date.
Since joining the team nine years ago, Lando has raced in more Grands Prix than any other McLaren driver in history, and his new contract will give him the chance to extend this record.
The news was announced at our annual Friends and Family Day, one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year at the McLaren Technology Centre.
Once a season, everyone on the team invites those closest to them to our HQ for a day of fun, including meet-and-greets, demo runs in some of our most iconic cars and pit stop challenges. This year, guests were also among the first to hear about Lando’s new contract.
The team installed a series of key upgrades to the MCL40 over the last two races, which contributed to our first two Grand Prix victories of the season, in Hungary and the Netherlands.
But with competition for points tougher than ever, and Monza’s unique low-downforce characteristics posing an entirely different obstacle, the team are therefore approaching the weekend expecting another challenging battle with the leading teams.
In Monza, we’ll bring a few additional minor aerodynamic updates, some of which are designed to meet the circuit's unique demands. We’ll also roll out the H-Wing, a new rotating rear wing that debuted during practice at the Hungarian Grand Prix and will now get a run-out in Italy.
These upgrades are part of an effort to build on recent momentum and close out the final European double-header of the season on a positive note.
When you’re just up the road from Italy’s fashion capital of Milan, it’s only fitting to launch a new outfit.
Oscar and Lando will embrace the power of a monochrome look by competing in all-black race suits at the next two races, in Italy and Spain, with the MCL40 also sporting a new look.
The McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team and Official Primary Partner OKX have unveiled a special livery enhancement that will be on the car in Italy and at the Spanish Grand Prix a week later.
Members of the Papaya Family making the trip to cheer on Oscar and Lando can take in historical sights on and off the track.
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza is a must-see, but the surrounding Monza Park is also worth exploring. Home to the circuit, it is one of Europe’s largest enclosed parks and offers a different kind of beauty away from the track.
The Villa Reale di Monza, a magnificent neoclassical palace that is also within the park, is another breathtaking sight.
For those looking for a day trip, Milan is close by, and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II gives visitors the chance to shop till they drop. While Monza is a cathedral in the world of F1, fans can also visit the iconic Duomo di Milano – Milan’s cathedral – for a slice of culture, while also exploring Castello Sforzesco and the historic Teatro alla Scala.
It also wouldn’t hurt to sample another thing the Italians are known for – food. No visit to the region would be complete without trying the local cuisine, including Tortelli di Zucca, a pumpkin-filled pasta.
Two people who will definitely know where to eat in Italy are Leonardo Fornaroli and Matteo De Palo, members of our Driver Development Programme.
Leo has taken part in two Free Practice sessions for us this Formula 1 season and will be back in the garage supporting the team at his home race. Matteo, meanwhile, is competing in Formula 3, which stages Round 8 in Monza this weekend. The F3 rookie will therefore race on home soil in the penultimate round of the season.
