The Italian Grand Prix is a staple of the Formula One calendar since the championship began back in 1950. Monza has only failed to host a race in one season, all the way back in 1980, making it a staple of the F1 calendar. This is an unmissable track as it has a combination of rich motorsport history, high speed action and some of the most passionate supporters in the world.
The Italian Grand Prix will take place between the 4-6th of September. Here is everything you need to know about this beautiful track.
Key Facts:
Length = 5.793 kilometres
Grand Prix Laps = 53
Race distance = 306.72 kilometres
The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza was built in just 110 days back in 1922. The track originally featured a terrifying series of steeply banked curves, however this section of the track is not used these days. Much of what was classified as the ‘outfield’ of the track is what is used now. The current layout of the track has been used since 2000.
The track held its first race back in September of 1922. It went on to become a part of the original Formula One calendar back in 1950 and has held a Grand Prix every year since (except 1980, as previously mentioned). Giuseppe Farina won the first race at the track in 1950, driving for Alfa Romeo at the time.
In the modern era Monza is still a well loved track by fans all over the world. It’s a track that requires little downforce as there are multiple long straights that you can not afford to get bogged down on. There has to be a balance as there are heavy breaking zones and demanding corners like Lesmos 1 and 2, Ascari and the Parabolica. This track usually delivers great entertainment for fans as cars can afford to run close to each other on the straights and make use of the heavy breaking zones to overtake, although the smallest mistake can lead to absolute carnage.
Not only is the track itself a great spectacle, but the fans there are so passionate. The Tifosi flock to Monza and the stands are filled with Ferrari red. Every time a Ferrari passes there is a great roar and the celebrations after the race are some of the most recognisable in the sport. Monza is not just about Ferrari though, fans travel from across the world to experience this incredible track regardless of what team they love
The Tifosi
What Is the track like:
To put it simply: fast. It has earned the nickname “The Temple of Speed” for a reason. The cars are full throttle for 80% of the lap.
A lap of Monza starts on the 1.1 kilometre start/finish straight which is completely full throttle. Drivers will then have to brake heavily as they are met with the first chicane Variante del Rettifilo, where they quickly turn right and then left onto the Curva Grande. It is incredibly important that drivers use a late apex coming out of the first chicane so that they have good exit speed through the Curva Grande. The Curva Grande is usually flat out in dry conditions.
Heading out of the Curva Grande and entering sector 2, drivers are then faced with the Variante della Roggia, another chicane but this time it is a left-right sequence. The exit speed is once again crucial to set up for the next series of corners so it is common for drivers to sacrifice a bit of entry speed in order to get the best launch out. Drivers also commonly used as much kerb as possible but this makes mistakes very likely, they have to be incredibly careful to not receive track limit warnings through here. The next corners are Lesmos 1 and 2. Lesoms 1 is a medium-fast right-hander. Hitting a tight apex is important to set up for the fast approaching Lesmos 2. Lesmos 2 comes fast and is a quick direction change almost immediately after Lesomos 1. Drivers will aim to head flat over the kerb if possible as the corner leads onto a straight where they do not want to sacrifice speed.
After the straight and heading into sector 3, drivers are met with the Ascari chicane. The first part is left. It is important to not take too much speed as setting up for the following corners is the most important thing at this stage. The middle part of Ascari swings right with a quick direction change. It is key to maintain flow and keep inputs smooth as upsetting the car into the final straight can really leave you at risk. Turn 10 is the exit of Ascari and it heads onto a long straight therefore it is important for drivers to hit a late apex for the best exit speed. Following this straight is the very famous Parabolica, which is a very long corner that requires patience to get it right. It is usually taken in 3rd-4th gear and requires a late apex for the best exit onto the 1.1 km start/finish straight. Gradual application of the throttle is crucial as an early apex ruins exit speed.
The best overtaking opportunity is into Turn 1. The heavy breaking zone allows for a good chance at getting past, however it is usually an area where drivers lock up so they have to use caution to get it right. A riskier place to get the job done is in the Ascari chicane. It can be done but the high speed corners and limited room mean drivers have to get it perfect. Furthermore, drivers will have four straight mode zones to assist them in 2026.
Track Map for Monza
Memorable Monza Moments
Naturally Monza has had its fair share of standout moments since it has been on the calendar since 1950.
1971 – Peter Gethin claimed his only Formula One victory at the track using the slipstream to beat Ronnie Peterson by just 0.01 seconds. Five other cars crossed the line within 0.61 seconds of each other. This remains the closest finish in Formula One of all time. To make his victory even more impressive, Gethin started in 11th.
1988 – Ayrton Senna’s collision with a lapped Williams handed Farrari’s Gerhard Berger victory and Michele Alboreto second place. This 1-2 came less than a month after the death of founder Enzo Ferrari, leading to what you can imagine were some very emotional celebrations.
1996 – Michael Schmacher won the Italian Grand Prix in his first season at Ferrari. This was their first victory at the track since Berger’s 1988 win.
2008 – Sebastian Vettel claimed his maiden win in tricky wet conditions driving a Toro Rosso. The then 21 year old started from pole and went on to become the youngest race winner at the time, a record that has since been broken.
2019 – Charles Leclerc secured Ferrari’s first Monza victory since 2010.
2020 – Pierre Gasly claimed his maiden win following a safety car, red flag and penalty for the race leader Lewis Hamilton. He held off Carlos Sainz to win by just 0.415 seconds. He also became the first French driver to win in 24 years.
2021 – Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s collision at the first chicane is unforgettable. Daneil Ricciardo led home Lando Norris to a McLaren 1-2. This was McLaren’s first victory since 2012.
2024 – Charles Leclerc wins again, opting for the one stop strategy.
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