Formula 1 is bringing music, motorsport and Italian star power together as Grammy Award-winning singer Laura Pausini prepares to headline F1 Grid Gigs at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix.
Formula 1 is turning up the volume at Monza, with Laura Pausini announced as the headline performer for F1 Grid Gigs presented by American Express at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix.
The special pre-race entertainment spectacular will take place ahead of the FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAN PREMIO D’ITALIA 2026, marking the first time F1 Grid Gigs has come to the iconic Italian circuit.
The performance will be available to fans attending the Grand Prix, while audiences around the world will also be able to watch through Formula 1’s social media channels.
View The Official 2026 Italian Grand Prix Information on Formula 1
Laura Pausini Brings Global Star Power to Monza
One of Italy’s most celebrated musical exports, Laura Pausini will take centre stage before the Formula 1 cars head out for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix.
Across a career spanning three decades, Pausini has sold more than 75 million records worldwide and accumulated more than 8 billion streams.
She became the first and only Italian artist to win a Grammy Award and has also achieved a place on the US Billboard Hot 100. Her international success has seen her win five Latin Grammy Awards, while the Latin Recording Academy named her its Person of the Year in 2023.
Pausini is also the only Italian female singer to have won a Golden Globe, and she has received nominations at both the Emmy Awards and Academy Awards.
For a race weekend renowned for its passionate Italian fanbase, her appearance at Monza looks set to add an extra dose of homegrown energy to the pre-race celebrations.
What Is F1 Grid Gigs?
Launched in 2025, F1 Grid Gigs presented by American Express was created to transform the Formula 1 grid into a live entertainment stage in the moments before lights out.
Rather than limiting the excitement to the racing itself, the initiative brings major international artists directly into the heart of the Grand Prix experience, giving fans at the circuit and those watching at home another reason to tune in before the race begins.
The concept debuted in Austin in 2025 before returning to Miami earlier this year.
The 2026 programme has already featured Colombian urban music star Manuel Turizo, who performed at the Miami Grand Prix. Further F1 Grid Gigs performances are expected throughout the season, including a return to Austin.
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Music Meets Motorsport at Monza
The decision to bring F1 Grid Gigs to Monza feels particularly fitting. The historic circuit has long been one of the most atmospheric stops on the Formula 1 calendar, with the passionate Tifosi creating an unmistakable atmosphere around the Italian Grand Prix.
Monza has hosted the Italian Grand Prix almost continuously since Formula 1’s inaugural championship season in 1950. The circuit is also known for its high-speed layout, with cars spending around 80% of a lap at full throttle.
The 2026 Italian Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on 6 September 2026, with the race beginning at 13:00 local track time.
Explore The Full 2026 Italian Grand Prix Schedule
The addition of Pausini means fans will get a major musical performance before the racing action begins, creating an entertainment experience that extends beyond the track itself.
Laura Pausini: “Music and Formula 1 Have Something in Common”
Speaking about her upcoming performance, Pausini said she is particularly excited to perform at a Formula 1 race for the first time.
“It’s not my first time attending a Formula 1 race, but it will be my first time performing at one, which makes it even more exciting.”
The singer added that bringing her music to an audience united by its passion for Formula 1 will be an “incredible joy”, drawing parallels between the two worlds.
“Music and Formula 1 have something in common: they both thrive on adrenaline and emotion,” Pausini said.
Formula 1 Continues to Expand the Grand Prix Experience
Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said Pausini’s appearance will provide another memorable moment for fans at a circuit renowned for its atmosphere.
“Monza is a unique fixture in the history of Formula 1, where passion and energy are felt in a special way,” Domenicali said.
He described Pausini as “an extraordinary Italian artist known and loved all over the world” and said the partnership with American Express had already made Grid Gigs a major success.
ACI President Geronimo La Russa also welcomed Pausini’s involvement, describing her appearance as another example of Italian excellence being showcased at one of the country’s biggest sporting events.
When Is the 2026 Italian Grand Prix?
The FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAN PREMIO D’ITALIA 2026 will take place at Autodromo Nazionale Monza from 4–6 September.
The weekend schedule includes practice sessions on Friday, qualifying on Saturday and the Grand Prix itself on Sunday, 6 September.
F1 Grid Gigs featuring Laura Pausini will take place as part of the pre-race entertainment before the Grand Prix.
Fans unable to attend Monza in person will also be able to experience the performance through Formula 1’s social media channels, bringing the spectacle to audiences around the world.
With one of Italy’s biggest musical stars taking over the grid at one of motorsport’s most historic circuits, F1 Grid Gigs at Monza is shaping up to be one of the standout entertainment moments of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
