(Motorsport-Total.com) – These are crucial questions at every Formula 1 race weekend in 2026. Namely: What is the weather forecast? Is wet track expected on site? Are intermediates or even rain tires needed? Or will it simply remain consistently dry from practice through qualifying to the race, making dry tires sufficient? In short: What should drivers like Nico Hülkenberg, Max Verstappen, and Lewis Hamilton prepare for?
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To answer these questions, our editors have been closely monitoring the weather at the Formula 1 venues several days before the start of tests or race weekends. During the event, this preview article is updated with new weather details such as temperature in degrees Celsius, wind strength, cloud cover, and expected precipitation for each day of the weekend.
The result is as precise a weather forecast as possible for the respective Grands Prix of the 2026 Formula 1 season. However, all information is without guarantee, as some motorsport locations like Spa-Francorchamps or the Nürburgring are known for particularly changeable weather that cannot always be predicted accurately. Precipitation can also occur there unexpectedly.
The next time Formula 1 hits the track in Monza is from September 4 to 6, 2026, for the Italian Grand Prix, the 13th race weekend of the year. (Retrieve the complete 2026 Formula 1 calendar here!)
The FIA has issued a heat warning for the race weekend. (Find out here what that means and what consequences it has for racing operations in Monza!)
Friday, September 4, 2026
1st Free Practice (12:30-13:30)
At the start of practice for the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Formula 1 will experience midsummer conditions once again: Temperatures will reach up to 32 degrees Celsius in the early afternoon under an almost cloudless sky. Rain is not an issue.
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A small factor is the wind: It blows weakly at an average of three km/h from the southeast onto the track and reaches nearly 20 km/h in individual gusts. The wind direction mainly means tailwind exiting the “Alboreto” final corner (formerly “Parabolica”).
2nd Free Practice (16:00-17:00)
It remains hot for Formula 1, with temperatures up to 33 degrees Celsius in the second free practice. Rain is still not in sight.
The wind shifts and now comes from the northeast onto the circuit. This mainly results in tailwind from the second “Lesmo” corner to the “Ascari” chicane. With an average of two km/h, the wind is only a minor factor.
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Saturday, September 5, 2026
3rd Free Practice (12:30-13:30)
Plenty of sunshine is also expected on the second day of running for Formula 1 in Monza. For the third free practice, temperatures will again reach 33 degrees Celsius. Clouds will appear sporadically over northern Italy, but no rain is expected.
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The wind shifts again and picks up slightly: Coming from the west, it averages four km/h and reaches up to 20 km/h at peak. This mainly means crosswind on the long main straight and tailwind in the “Curva Grande” in the first sector.
Qualifying (from 16:00)
For the Formula 1 time trial, the highest temperatures of the weekend are expected at 34 degrees. Cloud cover increases again, but the chance of rain remains at zero percent.
The wind picks up and blows at an average of seven km/h from west-northwest towards the race track. Individual gusts reach 20 km/h. The wind direction mostly results in crosswind on the long straights and tailwind in the first “Lesmo” corner.
Sunday, September 6, 2026
Grand Prix (start at 15:00)
At the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, the sun blazes down: 34 degrees Celsius, hardly any clouds, no chance of rain. The race will be run completely dry.
The wind comes from the east as on Friday and is again weak at an average of four km/h. However, gusts up to 20 km/h are possible. The wind direction means tailwind exiting the second “Lesmo” corner and the “Alboreto” final corner, plus crosswind on the long straights.
Note: This forecast will be updated several times during the week!
First forecasts for the Formula 1 race in Madrid
For the Formula 1 premiere on the new city circuit “Madring” in Madrid, temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius are expected. With an average of seven to ten hours of sunshine in September, pleasant weather is likely. Rain remains an exception for this time of year in central Spain.
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