Monza 2026: Inside the Paddock Where Alexandra Leclerc's €62 Dress Stole the Show

On the track, Monza 2026 was not kind to Ferrari. Charles Leclerc crashed out of a home podium on lap two, while Lewis Hamilton battled his way to a frustrated sixth-place finish in a car he later admitted was difficult to drive. Pierre Gasly claimed a shock pole position, and a young Italian driver delivered a fairytale win in front of his home crowd.

Yet, as is so often the case at the Temple of Speed, the race was only half the story. Away from the circuit, Monza once again proved why it is considered one of the most stylish weekends on the Formula 1 calendar — a collision of motorsport, high fashion and Italian celebrity that draws as much attention as the podium itself.

Where the Paddock Sleeps: Milan’s Hotel Ritual

For years, the emotional centre of race week has been the Hotel de la Ville, a four-star property overlooking the Royal Villa of Monza that becomes a locked-down retreat for teams during the Grand Prix. Tifosi gather outside from dawn until late at night, not necessarily for autographs, but simply to be close to the team they consider their own.

This year, however, tradition shifted. Charles Leclerc, a regular at the hotel since 2020, reportedly chose to base himself in Milan instead, citing commitments in the city, including a public appearance with teammate Lewis Hamilton. Not everyone broke the habit, though — Carlos Sainz and partner Rebecca Donaldson were spotted walking near the hotel over the weekend, proof that staying five minutes from the paddock still holds appeal for some of the grid.

For those who did choose Milan, the city delivered. Reports point to three hotels favoured by drivers and paddock VIPs this year: the Bulgari Hotel Milano, prized for its private garden and discretion; the Mandarin Oriental, in the heart of the fashion district; and the Park Hyatt Milan, steps from the Duomo and long a favourite of the paddock set.

Lewis Hamilton Steals Thursday in a Ferrari F40

Before a wheel had turned in anger, Lewis Hamilton set the tone for the entire weekend. He arrived at the Monza paddock behind the wheel of his Ferrari F40 — reportedly the only car he now owns, having sold his entire collection in 2025 as his interests shifted toward art and design. When he lifted the engine cover, he found the number 44, his own racing number, engraved on a car built decades before his career began.

His outfit matched the occasion. Hamilton wore a full-length camel wool overcoat draped over a sharp black three-piece suit, complete with a buttoned waistcoat, dark shirt, slim black tie, a black leather flat cap and dark sunglasses — a deliberately old-world look set against Ferrari red that was widely noted as one of the sharpest arrivals of the weekend.

F1 WAGs Fashion: Three Very Different Style Stories

Warm late-summer sunshine gave the paddock’s best-dressed plenty of opportunity to shine, and with Pierre Gasly taking a shock pole position, his partner Kika Gomez found herself at the centre of the style conversation.

Kika Gomez kept her media day look effortless in a Sienna-toned maxi dress, paired with burgundy sunglasses and a diamond Cartier bracelet — proof, commentators noted, that a standout outfit doesn’t require a four-figure price tag. For qualifying, she switched to a full Gucci moment, complete with a jersey top, denim trousers, a Paparazzo top-handle bag, a Cartier Love bracelet and a Rolex Datejust.

Alexandra Leclerc brought her trademark Monaco polish for practice day in a black polka-dot midi dress, carried with a rare white Hermès Mini Picnic Kelly bag. But it was her qualifying-day look that generated the real headlines: a black midi dress from an accessible fashion label, priced at just €62, styled with a YSL bag, Dolce & Gabbana mules and gold jewellery worth thousands. A £62 dress worn like couture — and arguably the fashion story of the weekend.

Lily, Oscar Piastri’s partner, opted for soft, understated elegance: a pink silk top and flared jeans for media day, followed by a gingham midi dress, Van Cleef & Arpels pendant and a diamond bangle for qualifying — a quietly modern look that suited her low-key reputation.

Celebrities, Chefs and Champions Fill the Paddock

The 2026 Italian Grand Prix drew a genuinely spectacular guest list. Italian singer Laura Pausini performed live on the grid before lights out on Sunday, delivering what many described as a goosebumps moment in front of a packed, roaring crowd.

The tennis world turned out in force too, with world number one Jannik Sinner watching from the paddock alongside rising Italian star Kimi Antonelli, both cheering on a home victory. Fellow Italian player Matteo Berrettini and global DJ Peggy Gou were also spotted in the crowd, blending the worlds of sport, fashion and music.

Food had its own headline moment. Three-Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura, one of Italy’s most celebrated names in the kitchen, hosted Formula 1’s exclusive “La Tavolata” dinner along the Monza straight — a long table dinner for the paddock’s elite, held just ahead of the race weekend. Notably, all of this unfolded while the Venice Film Festival ran simultaneously along the coast, pulling major names of its own — yet Monza’s fans barely noticed, too busy celebrating a home win late into the night.

Final Thoughts: Monza’s Real Story Went Beyond the Track

Ferrari may leave Monza with plenty to review — a crash, a difficult car, and a missed home podium. But through the lens of fashion, celebrity and spectacle, the 2026 Italian Grand Prix delivered everything a Formula 1 weekend should: drama, glamour, and a paddock packed with tennis champions, pop icons and Michelin-starred chefs.

Which look stood out most — Kika Gomez’s confident Gucci moment, Alexandra Leclerc’s €62 dress worn like couture, or Lily’s understated gingham? And don’t miss what’s coming next: Formula 1 heads to Madrid for a brand-new Grand Prix on a brand-new circuit. Subscribe to Paddock Life for new fashion, new stories, and an inside look at how the world of Formula 1 spends its money.

▶ For the full breakdown of every look, price tag, and paddock moment from Monza — including behind-the-scenes footage you won’t find anywhere else — watch the full video below: