Ferrari drivers Antonio Giovinazzi and Antonio Fuoco received an enthusiastic welcome from hundreds of supporters at Milan Central Station as excitement builds ahead of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship finale at Monza. The two Italian racers met fans beside the Ferrari 499P Hypercar, with the gathering turning into a celebration of the Maranello manufacturer’s endurance racing programme just days before its home event.
The special meeting formed part of a wider series of activities organised ahead of the 6 Hours of Monza, scheduled for November 6–8. While Ferrari’s drivers attracted considerable attention in Milan, Alpine racer Ferdinand Habsburg also took part in a separate cultural event at the Royal Villa of Monza, combining his family’s historical connections with his passion for motorsport.
Hundreds of Ferrari fans welcome Antonio Giovinazzi and Antonio Fuoco in Milan
The Galleria delle Carrozze at Milan Central Station became a meeting point for Ferrari supporters on Wednesday, November 4, when Antonio Giovinazzi and Antonio Fuoco attended a special Meet & Greet event ahead of the World Endurance Championship’s final round.
Giovinazzi represents the Ferrari AF Corse #51 crew, while Fuoco competes in the #50 entry. Both were greeted by hundreds of enthusiasts, many wearing Ferrari red, who queued for photographs, autographs and the opportunity to meet the Italian drivers in person.
The gathering took place alongside the #51 Ferrari 499P, which had already been displayed at the railway station for four days. The exhibition offered motorsport enthusiasts a rare opportunity to see Ferrari’s Hypercar away from the circuit, bringing the atmosphere of endurance racing into one of Milan’s busiest public spaces.
The display formed part of a broader initiative to bring the Ferrari 499P to Milan ahead of the Monza race, strengthening the connection between the Scuderia’s endurance programme and its Italian supporters.
Antonio Giovinazzi and Antonio Fuoco target Ferrari victory at Monza
For Antonio Giovinazzi, competing at Monza carries particular significance because of the opportunity to represent Ferrari in front of its home supporters. The Italian driver explained that the event is especially meaningful both for the manufacturer and for its Italian competitors, adding that the team would approach Sunday’s race determined to fight for victory.
He also emphasised the importance of the support Ferrari receives at home. Giovinazzi believes the enthusiasm of the Italian crowd provides additional motivation to deliver the strongest possible performance, or at least reward spectators with an entertaining and exciting race.
Antonio Fuoco shared that enthusiasm, describing the opportunity to compete at Monza as a source of considerable pride. The Ferrari #50 driver recalled the affection shown by supporters during the World Endurance Championship’s previous visit in 2023, explaining that the atmosphere had left a lasting emotional impression.
Beyond the significance of racing in Italy, Fuoco also acknowledged the sporting objectives still available to Ferrari. Third place in the Drivers’ Championship and second in the Manufacturers’ standings remain possible targets, although the Italian stressed that the team’s immediate priority is to perform at its best and challenge for victory.
Those ambitions give the final round additional importance for the Maranello manufacturer. Alongside the emotional appeal of a home race, Ferrari will be hoping to secure a strong result as the 2026 campaign reaches its conclusion.
The team’s wider preparations, including the challenge of competing with the 499P at Monza, are examined in our preview of Ferrari’s objectives for the WEC season finale.
Ferdinand Habsburg visits Monza’s Royal Villa ahead of WEC finale
While Ferrari’s drivers were meeting supporters in Milan, another event brought the World Endurance Championship into contact with the region’s cultural heritage.
Ferdinand Habsburg, who competes in the #35 Alpine A424, visited the Royal Villa of Monza for the first time on Wednesday afternoon. The Austrian driver is a descendant of the Habsburg dynasty and a great-grandson of Charles I, the last Emperor of Austria.
His visit followed an invitation from Bartolomeo Corsini, the general director of the Royal Palace, who welcomed the driver for a guided tour of the historic residence.
Despite having raced at Monza on numerous occasions, including during his younger years, Habsburg had never previously visited the Villa. He explained that he was already familiar with the building’s reputation and was particularly interested in its historical connections to his family.
The Alpine driver also mentioned Empress Maria Theresa, describing her as one of the family’s best-known and most highly regarded ancestors.
During the visit, Habsburg compared the Royal Villa with Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, another historic residence with important Habsburg connections. He expressed his appreciation for Schönbrunn’s size and beauty, identifying similarities between the Austrian palace and the Monza residence.
The experience also allowed him to combine two personal interests: history and motor racing. Habsburg described Monza as one of his favourite circuits and expressed considerable excitement about returning to compete there during the World Endurance Championship’s final weekend.
Monza prepares environmental initiative before 2026 WEC finale
The programme of activities continues on Thursday, November 5, with an environmental project taking place within the Monza circuit grounds.
After 3pm, approximately 30 trees are scheduled to be planted in the Bosco delle Noci area, close to the Ascari chicane and Viale Mirabello. The initiative follows the severe storm that affected the area in July 2023.
Several racing drivers will participate alongside representatives of the FIA World Endurance Championship and the Monza circuit. The project forms another part of the activities accompanying the championship’s return to the Italian venue.
2026 6 Hours of Monza set to conclude World Endurance Championship season
The 6 Hours of Monza will take place from November 6 to 8, bringing the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season to its conclusion. The event will play a decisive role in the remaining Hypercar and LMGT3 championship battles.
For Ferrari, the home finale represents an opportunity to compete in front of passionate Italian supporters, with Antonio Giovinazzi and Antonio Fuoco both targeting a memorable performance in their respective 499P entries.
The weekend will feature practice sessions and qualifying before Sunday’s six-hour race. The complete 2026 6 Hours of Monza schedule, session times and viewing information provides the details for supporters planning to follow Ferrari’s final WEC appearance of the season.
Tickets remain available through the official FIA WEC website and TicketOne, giving fans another opportunity to support the Italian manufacturer at one of motorsport’s most celebrated circuits.
After the enthusiastic scenes at Milan Central Station, Ferrari’s drivers now turn their attention to the track, hoping to transform the energy of their supporters into a strong conclusion to the 2026 World Endurance Championship campaign.
Leave a Reply