Mattia Colnaghi enters the 2026 F3 Monza round looking to build on his previous experience at the Italian circuit, with changes to qualifying and the DRS layout set to shape the weekend.
The MP Motorsport driver currently sits P14 in the Drivers’ Standings with 39 points after enduring a mixed rookie campaign so far. However, Colnaghi now arrives at the penultimate round with positive memories, having raced and won there in EuroCup-3 last year before going on to claim the 2025 title.
Colnaghi on two-group qualifying at 2026 F3 Monza round
Known as the fastest circuit on the F3 calendar, Monza will feature several key changes this weekend, including the return of two-group qualifying. Previously used at Monaco earlier this season, the format has now been reintroduced at the iconic 5.793km circuit.
Speaking during a virtual media session attended by Pit Debrief, Colnaghi praised the decision, explaining that splitting the field could help reduce the traffic seen in previous slipstream-heavy qualifying sessions.
“Yeah, it’s interesting to see the format back for Monza. Obviously, I think it makes complete sense seeing the slipstream game we do play here and in other circuits such as Spa, also seeing the messy qualifying session that was at Spa, it’s, I think, good to implement the two groups and, hopefully, it’s a bit of a calmer one. Obviously, pole is very important at a circuit like Monza, so I do think that we will still be looking for it, but, yeah, hopefully, being less cars on the track at once will help.”
Colnaghi is set to participate in Group B qualifying, driving alongside his MP Motorsport teammate Alessandro Giusti, as both drivers carry odd numbers on their cars.
Lessons from EuroCup-3
Colnaghi’s understanding of Monza’s slipstream dynamics partly comes from his 2025 Eurocup-3 Monza round, in which he won Race 2. Asked by Pit Debrief what lessons from his Eurocup-3 experience at Monza he could carry over to F3, Colnaghi highlighted the importance of adapting his approach to the race situation.
“I think it’s a track where, obviously, racing is a bit promoted by the long straights that we have here. There’s a lot of tow effect,” he began.
“As for quali, it’s the same in the race. I think last year in Eurocup, it was quite important to be smart in Race 1 when everyone was a bit more erratic, let’s say, a bit more aggressive, whereas I think in Race 2, we changed a bit the driving style and everyone was a bit calmer, so I think it depends really on what the situation is, the situation you’re in, the position also you’re in. Obviously, being at the front, everyone is a bit more patient, but yeah, definitely a lot of important lessons from last year that I can carry into the weekend.”
New overtaking opportunities
In addition to the qualifying change, a new DRS zone between Turns 10 and 11 will also be introduced at Monza this weekend. The new zone joins two existing DRS sections, one on the main straight and the other on the run towards Ascari.
Reflecting on the change, Colnaghi shared how it could create additional overtaking opportunities into Turn 1:
“Yeah, I think obviously we do have a bit of a third gear issue in F3 and F2 in most categories, especially in Formula racing. So, having the extra DRS zone is going to be mega useful to get a bit closer to the car in front in the races before the last corner and that’s meaning that you can be closer for the main straight as well, which obviously is going to open up a potential passing opportunity in T1 that maybe without this extra DRS zone wouldn’t be possible.”
He continued: “So, I think it’s definitely useful in that sense. It’s going to promote racing even more than this circuit already does, which is going to be exciting both for I think the drivers and the fans. And yeah, hopefully it’s positive also in qualifying. I do believe that it’s good to have an extra DRS zone, even in qualifying. It will probably, I guess, make things a bit cleaner as maybe the tow effect isn’t as big, but I guess we’ll have to see tomorrow when the session is on.”
