Formula 2 - Monza

The Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Italy will host Round 10 of the 2026 FIA Formula 2 Championship. This F2 event takes place at one of motorsport's most famous venues, often called the "Temple of Speed." The circuit sits near the city of Monza, just north of Milan. The race weekend runs as a support series to the Formula 1 World Championship, continuing a long tradition at this historic facility.

The 2026 Race Weekend Format

The Monza F2 round follows the standard Formula 2 weekend structure. Teams and drivers participate in a 45-minute practice session to learn the track and test their setups. A 30-minute qualifying session determines the starting grid positions. The weekend features two races: a Sprint Race on Saturday and a Feature Race on Sunday.

The Sprint Race awards points to the top eight finishers, while the Feature Race rewards the top ten. Drivers can earn additional points for securing pole position in the Feature Race. Fastest lap points go to drivers who set the quickest time in either race, provided they finish in the top ten positions.

Circuit Characteristics

The Autodromo Nazionale Monza Grand Prix track measures 5.793 kilometers (3.600 miles) and contains 10 turns. The circuit stands out for its high-speed nature, with long straights separated by technical chicanes. Drivers spend nearly 80% of each lap at full throttle, making it the fastest track on the Formula 1 calendar since 1991.

The layout demands precise braking stability and strong traction. Key sections include the sweeping Curva Grande, the technical Curva di Lesmo, and the Variante Ascari, named after Alberto Ascari. The Curva Alboreto, formerly known as Curva Parabolica, represents another significant corner. The Variante della Roggia chicane sits at the end of a long straight where cars reach very high speeds before heavy braking zones.

The circuit can accommodate 118,865 spectators. The current F2 race lap record at Monza stands at 1:32.717, set by Kush Maini in 2024 with Invicta Racing.

Teams and Drivers for 2026

The 2026 FIA Formula 2 Championship features 11 teams and 22 drivers. All competitors aim to showcase their skills on the path to Formula 1. Invicta Racing enters the season as the reigning Teams' and Drivers' Champions.

2026 Team Line-ups

Invicta Racing fields Rafael Câmara and Joshua Dürksen. Hitech TGR runs Ritomo Miyata alongside Colton Herta. Campos Racing features Noel León and Nikola Tsolov. DAMS Lucas Oil enters Dino Beganovic and Roman Bilinski. MP Motorsport fields Gabriele Minì and Oliver Goethe.

PREMA Racing runs Sebastián Montoya and Mari Boya. Rodin Motorsport features Martinius Stenshorne and Alexander Dunne. ART Grand Prix fields Kush Maini and Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak. AIX Racing runs Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. and Cian Shields. Van Amersfoort Racing enters Nicolás Varrone and Rafael Villagómez. Trident fields Laurens van Hoepen and John Bennett.

Technical Specifications

All teams in the FIA Formula 2 Championship use identical Dallara F2 2024 chassis. This spec series format emphasizes driver skill over mechanical advantages. The cars feature a 3.4-liter V6 single-turbocharged Mecachrome engine. The powerplant produces approximately 620 horsepower at 8750 rpm, with a maximum torque of 570 Nm at 6000 rpm.

A 6-speed longitudinal Hewland sequential gearbox delivers power to the rear wheels. Drivers control gear changes through paddle shifts mounted on the steering wheel.

Car Dimensions and Weight

The F2 car measures 5285 mm in overall length and 1900 mm in overall width. The overall height reaches 1097 mm, including the FOM roll hoop camera. The wheelbase spans 3135 mm. The minimum weight stands at 795 kg with the driver on-board.

Performance Capabilities

The F2 car accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 2.90 seconds. It reaches 200 km/h from a standstill in just 6.60 seconds. Top speeds can exceed 335 km/h with a Monza aero configuration and DRS (Drag Reduction System) activated.

Carbon-carbon brakes provide maximum braking deceleration of -3.5 G. The cars can withstand lateral acceleration of +/- 3.9 G through corners. Pirelli serves as the exclusive tire supplier for the series.

The championship continues to advance its sustainability efforts. Further increases in sustainable fuel components are planned for 2026, with the series targeting fully synthetic fuels by 2027.

The History of Monza

The Autodromo Nazionale Monza opened on September 3, 1922. It was the world's third purpose-built motor racing circuit, following Brooklands and Indianapolis. The facility remains the oldest permanent racing circuit in mainland Europe still in operation.

The Milan Automobile Club financed the construction to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The original layout included a 5.5 km road course and a 4.5 km high-speed oval track. These could be combined into a 10 km circuit. Over the decades, the facility has undergone numerous modifications to improve safety and adapt to advancing car performance.

Formula 2 at Monza

Formula 2, in its various forms, has a long association with Monza. The current FIA Formula 2 Championship has held rounds at the circuit since 2017. The series has deep historical roots, with F2 regulations even being used for the Formula 1 World Championship in 1952-1953 due to a shortage of F1 cars.

PREMA Racing holds the record for the most F2 wins at Monza in the modern era, with seven victories across previous seasons.

Notable Features

Monza has earned the nickname "Temple of Speed" due to its high-speed characteristics and the intense racing it produces. The circuit has served as a testing ground for various automotive innovations throughout its history. Technologies like Telepass, modern guardrails, and draining asphalt were developed or refined at this facility.

The circuit hosted unique "Race of Two Worlds" events in its earlier history. These competitions pitted Formula One cars against American USAC National Championship (IndyCar) machines. Due to the high speeds achieved at Monza, the Italian Grand Prix at this venue is often the shortest in terms of race duration on the Formula 1 calendar.

The circuit sits within the expansive Royal Villa of Monza park, providing a distinctive setting for racing. The Variante Ascari corner serves as a memorial to Alberto Ascari, who suffered a fatal crash at that location in 1955.

What to Expect in 2026

The 2026 Monza F2 race promises close competition among the 22 drivers. The high-speed nature of the circuit creates opportunities for slipstreaming and overtaking on the long straights. The technical chicanes require precision and bravery, as drivers brake hard from maximum speed.

The identical chassis and engines place the emphasis squarely on driver talent and team strategy. Setup choices become critical, as teams balance the need for low drag on the straights with sufficient downforce for the corners. Tire management plays a vital role, especially in the longer Feature Race.

The F2 series continues to serve as the primary pathway to Formula 1. Many current F1 drivers competed at Monza in F2, making this event significant for the careers of the 2026 participants. The Italy location and connection to the F1 weekend ensure strong attendance and visibility for the drivers and teams.