WEEKEND WARM-UP: The drivers on F1 Sprint's return at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix

The Temple of Speed welcomes thousands of pilgrims this weekend, with fans flocking to Monza to watch the second-ever F1 Sprint and experience the 2021 Italian Grand Prix – with a ton to talk about surrounding the on and off-track action.

The driver market has erupted in the last week, Kimi Raikkonen's retirement leading to Valtteri Bottas leaving Mercedes for Alfa Romeo at the end of the season, with George Russell to replace him – and Alex Albon to return to F1 with Williams in 2022.

READ MORE: ‘I’m definitely going in on level terms’ – Russell says Mercedes have promised he won’t be No2 to Hamilton

As for Raikkonen, who announced his retirement last Wednesday, he will miss this Grand Prix with Covid-19 so Robert Kubica steps in for the second consecutive weekend, driving an Alfa Romeo with a stunning new paint job.

Then there's the matter of the Sprint itself, with qualifying taking place on Friday evening to set the grid for F1's short, action-packed format on Saturday afternoon that will set the grid for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

For all the reaction to that plus all the other news stories from Thursday, hit play in the video above to join Melissa Nathoo, Sam Collins and Lawrence Barretto as they look ahead to the 2021 Italian Grand Prix.