The tribute to Michael Schumacher by Ferrari at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix serves a purpose beyond honoring the seven-time Formula 1 champion. Max Verstappen has lauded the celebration as it reflects the dedication, meticulous preparation, and team unity that transformed Schumacher’s remarkable driving into a legacy of championship victories that few have ever matched.
Ferrari will run a special Schumacher-inspired livery at Monza, its home circuit, marking three decades since Schumacher joined the team in 1996 and 20 years since his final Ferrari victory, which came at the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will also wear special race suits featuring Schumacher’s logo and seven stars for his seven world titles.
Advertisement
During the FIA press conference held ahead of the Monza weekend, Verstappen shared his thoughts on the German. His father, Jos, competed alongside him at Benetton in 1994, and Max met the Schumacher family because of this.
“I can say a few things, but also a few things are of course private that you don’t want to talk about too much in public. I can only say, back in the day – I probably didn’t realize as a child how big a legend he was.
“Forget about the talent, because that’s very obvious, but also his standards and how he was prepared, going to go for it and his preparation and way of working with the team and building a team to, yeah, win many championships, so I think it’s a big inspiration for a lot of drivers, teams, and for Ferrari to to celebrate him here.
Advertisement
“I think it’s, yeah, something that’s really nice to see and, well, nice to to see that, yeah, honor him.”
Schumacher joined the team as a two-time world champion, secured three victories in his inaugural season with the Scuderia, and ultimately placed third in the drivers’ championship for 1996. His victory at Monza that year, only months after joining Ferrari, helped create the emotional bond between the driver and the team’s Italian supporters.
Throughout his career with Ferrari, Schumacher achieved five victories at the Italian Grand Prix in the years 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006. Five of his seven championships also came with Ferrari, which is why this tribute at Monza means so much to the Tifosi.
