The historic race in Monza was held on September 11th 1988. and was the first Italian GP after the death of Enzo Ferrari (August 14th 1988.). Ferrari drivers Michele Alboreto and Gerhard Berger were the first drivers who took part in the free practice session on Friday to honour legendary Enzo.
McLaren Honda dominated with Senna and Prost who won all the races in 1988. except this one as they locked out another front row for McLaren (Ayrton was three tenths quicker than Alain). Ferrari drivers locked out the second row and Arrows Megatrons were in a third row.
Alain Prost retired with an engine failure (only failure on the Honda engine in 1988.), and Senna collided with Jean-Louis Schlesser’s Williams two laps before the end of the race while trying to lap him.
After McLaren were eliminated, Ferrari drivers Berger and Alboreto celebrated 1-2 for Maranello team at their home race.
Third place went to Eddie Cheever in Arrows Megatron, 35 seconds behind the winner, while the fourth was Derek Warwick in the second Arrows.
TOP 10 AT 1988 ITALIAN GP
| Pos | Nr | Driver | Team | Laps | Time | Gap |
| 1 | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | 51 | 1:17:39.744 | |
| 2 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 51 | 1:17:40.246 | 0.502 |
| 3 | 18 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows Megatron | 51 | 1:18:15.276 | 35.532 |
| 4 | 17 | Derek Warwick | Arrows Megatron | 51 | 1:18:15.858 | 36.114 |
| 5 | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March Judd | 51 | 1:18:32.266 | 52.522 |
| 6 | 20 | Thierry Boutsen | Benetton Ford | 51 | 1:18:39.622 | 59.878 |
| 7 | 6 | Riccardo Patrese | Williams Judd | 51 | 1:18:54.487 | 1:14.743 |
| 8 | 15 | M.Gugelmin | March Judd | 51 | 1:19:12.310 | 1:32.566 |
| 9 | 19 | A.Nannini | Benetton Ford | 50 | 1:18:03.702 | 1 lap |
| 10 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | McLaren Honda | 49 | 1:14:31.639 | crashed |
