The 2026 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza will unfold on Saturday, 13 September, with a tightly packed programme that Indian fans can follow live on FanCode. Motorsport.com confirmed the full schedule, while AutohebdoF1 provided the exact start times in local Italian time, which have been converted to Indian Standard Time (IST) for convenience.
Free Practice Sessions
Two free‑practice sessions will bookend the day. FP1 kicks off at 11:30 am local time (3:00 pm IST) and runs for 60 minutes, giving teams a first look at the high‑speed straights and the famous Parabolica. After a short break, FP2 starts at 2:30 pm local (6:00 pm IST) for another hour. These sessions are crucial for tyre strategy, especially with the expected hot September weather that can push track temperatures above 40 °C, affecting grip levels for the Italian‑loving fans.
Qualifying and Sprint Shootout
Qualifying is slated for 5:00 pm local time (8:30 pm IST). The three‑part knockout format will determine the grid for the sprint race, not the main Grand Prix, as Monza returns to the sprint format for 2026. The sprint shootout, a shorter qualifying session for the sprint race, will follow at 6:30 pm local (10:00 pm IST). The sprint itself will start at 8:00 pm local (11:30 pm IST) and run for 30 minutes, offering a fast‑paced showdown that can reshuffle the Sunday race order.
For Indian Viewers
Indian fans can catch every on‑track action live on FanCode, which holds the exclusive streaming rights for the 2026 season in India. The platform will broadcast the sessions in real‑time, matching the IST timings listed above. For those preferring television, the race will also be shown on the Star Sports network with a slight delay to accommodate the time‑zone difference. Social media highlights and post‑session analysis will be available on the official F1 India Twitter handle and the Pitlane Press India website.
Monza’s historic layout, with its long straights and heavy braking zones, always promises high‑speed drama. The Saturday schedule sets the stage for a thrilling sprint race that could dramatically influence the Sunday Grand Prix, making it a must‑watch for Indian enthusiasts tracking the championship battle.
Source: Motorsport.com
