Known as ‘The Temple of Speed’, the Autodromo has undergone several transformations over the years, with its current 5.793km, 11-turn layout and combination of long straights and tight chicanes prioritising aerodynamic efficiency, traction and braking stability.

FIA WEC visited Monza for three consecutive campaigns from 2021 to 2023. On the most recent of those occasions, 12 different models of car took to the track; in a clear demonstration of the world championship’s burgeoning momentum and growth, this weekend, there will be 17. On the driving front, 11 home heroes feature on the grid, as the action concludes in Europe for the first time since 2019.

Although the Hypercar Manufacturers’ crown has already been clinched by Toyota, three other prestigious trophies are still up for grabs this weekend, setting the scene for a scintillating final showdown.

INTERNAL DUEL FOR HYPERCAR DRIVERS’ HONOURS
Toyota wrapped up the Manufacturers’ title courtesy of a commanding one-two finish last time out in Spain, but there remains the matter of the Hypercar Drivers’ World Championship to decide, with the #8 crew of Barcelona winners Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryō Hirakawa in possession of a 17-point advantage over #7 stablemates Kamui Kobayashi, Mike Conway and Nyck de Vries.

With just 26 points in play – 25 for victory plus one for pole position – the odds are clearly weighted in the #8 trio’s favour, as Buemi and Hartley, in their 50th FIA WEC appearance together, set their sights on a record-extending fifth title.

Alongside Hirakawa, the pair may have one hand on the coveted crown, but it is the #7 Toyota that boasts much the better résumé at Monza. Conway and Kobayashi formed part of the triumphant line-up in Italy in 2021 and 2023 – having begun both races from pole – and rounded out the rostrum in third place in 2022.

Toyota has won all eight FIA WEC season finales since 2017, but in front of its ever-ardent tifosi, Ferrari in particular will be eager to halt that streak this weekend, after suffering a narrow defeat to its Japanese rival in the curtain-raising contest at Imola. Not only is the Prancing Horse competing on home soil for the second time in 2026, it is also keen to conclude a challenging title defence on a high.

The Ferrari 499P was a podium finisher on its maiden outing at the Monza circuit in 2023, and five of the marque’s six Hypercar drivers – James Calado, Antonio Fuoco, Alessandro Pier Guidi, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen – have sprayed champagne there in GT categories in the past.

BMW – second in the Manufacturers’ standings – is amongst six carmakers across both classes never to have previously competed at Monza in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and the Bavarian brand is determined to arrest a disappointing recent run with a rostrum result.

Elsewhere in the field, Alpine is aiming to sign off in style in its 80th and final FIA WEC event. Les Bleus’ #36 entry prevailed at the track in 2022 after finishing runner-up in 2021, with its valedictory appearance set to signal the marque’s 36th Hypercar race.

CORVETTE CHASING ITS FIRST LMGT3 TITLE
In the LMGT3 ranks, the #33 TF Sport entry is well set in the battle for the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGT3 Teams, with the second-placed #92 The Bend Manthey crew facing an 18-point deficit to try to overturn.

In the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGT3 Drivers, Jonny Edgar is on the verge of solo glory this weekend, with both of his team-mates, Nicky Catsburg and Ben Keating, having missed earlier parts of the season.

Corvette, however, has two irons in the fire, as the #34 Racing Team Turkey by TF Z06 is also still in contention, while the fourth and final title contender, the #69 BMW, requires a perfect weekend and some bad luck to befall its adversaries if it is to steal the spoils. Should that happen, it would represent the first time any competitor in any class has been crowned FIA WEC champion without scoring at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Part of the #92 line-up, Richard Lietz is set to become only the second driver to make 100 FIA WEC starts, after Buemi reached the milestone in Barcelona.

AT A GLANCE
The on-track sessions will begin with free practice on Friday, 6 November. Qualifying – and the Hyperpole top ten shootout – starts at 14:20 CET (UTC +1) on Saturday, 7 November, with the six-hour race getting underway at 11:00 CET on Sunday, 8 November.

Check out all the key information regarding the 6 Hours of Monza, including the full event timetable and entry list.

• complete 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship standings