Autodromo Nazionale Monza

Autodromo Nazionale Monza, often referred to as "The Temple of Speed", is one of the most iconic and historic circuits in the world of Formula 1. Located in the heart of Italy, Monza has been a fixture on the Formula 1 calendar since the inaugural season in 1950, with the exception of 1980 when the race was held at Imola due to circuit renovations. Known for its blistering high speeds and passionate fans, Monza is the home of the legendary Ferrari team and their devoted supporters, the Tifosi.

Since its debut in 1950, Monza has hosted the Italian Grand Prix every year, except for 1980 when it was temporarily moved to Imola due to the renovation of the circuit. Over the decades, Monza has seen countless legendary moments in F1 history, including Giuseppe Farina winning the first Italian GP in 1950 and Ferrari's triumphs on home soil. Monza is also known for its tradition of high-speed racing and drama, which has made it a favorite among fans and drivers alike.

The first-ever official Italian Grand Prix was won by an Italian, with an Italian Grand Prix, Guiseppe Farina took his Alfa Romeo to victory in 1950. In 1961 the original oval-like layout was scrapped due to safety concerns, at first there was a combination of the banked corner combined with bits of the road we still race at today, ultimately the circuit took on the shape we still know today in the early 2000s.

In 1988 a special race came about in Italy, McLaren had dominated the season with their MP 4/4 car, however, both Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost had mechanical failures. Stunningly, Ferrari would profit by taking a one-two finish in front of the Tifosi. Another piece of Ferrari glory came about in 2019, as Charles Leclerc won Ferrari’s first since 2010 in Italy. Both 2020 and 2021 featured a shocking turn of events in the Italian Grand Prix, it would be Pierre Gasly who won the 2020 edition which is still one of the most shocking results in modern F1 history. 2021 saw Daniel Ricciardo lead a McLaren one-two, ending a long winless streak for the team.

Monza is famous for its combination of long, fast straights and tight, technical chicanes. Known as the "Temple of Speed", the circuit provides one of the highest average speeds in Formula 1, making it a true test of both car performance and driver skill. Despite its simple appearance, Monza's layout presents numerous challenges that demand precision, especially in high-speed corners like the Curva Parabolica and the fast Variante Ascari.

One lap around the Autodromo Nazionale Monza begins in the tight chicane Variante del Rettifilo, often causing accidents among drivers. At the beginning of Sector 2 another tricky chicane must be navigated, the Variante del Rettifilo leads into the quick right-handers named Lesmo Corners. Finally, high-speed combination Ascari Chicane and the Curva Parabolica round out the lap.

Ferrari is the most successful constructor at Monza. Charles Leclerc’s victory last year marked the Scuderia twentieth at the venue; no other team has ever secured twenty victories at one circuit in the history of the sport. The team’s first official win came in 1951, with Alberto Ascari who would repeat this one year later. Other legends in the sport who were victorious in Monza with Ferrari are Phil Hill, Jody Scheckter, Gerhard Berger, and, of course, Michael Schumacher. In 2010, double world champion Fernando Alonso won the race which introduced a 9 year drought before Ferrari stood on the top step of the podium once more when Leclerc won the race in 2019. All things considered, Ferrari and Monza form an iconic combination and victory is almost required by the Tifosi that visit the track each year.

Lewis Hamilton took it to the top step of the podium in Italy for the first time in 2012, his last season with McLaren. With Mercedes, the Brit won this race four more times as the German manufacturer was unbeatable for a long time in the turbo-hybrid era of engine regulations. Considering Ferrari’s success in last year’s Italian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton might find himself take the win around Monza in 2025 for a sixth total time in his career.

Monza’s charm comes from its passionate fans, the Tifosi, and its rich history of high-speed racing. The unique combination of high-speed straights and demanding chicanes makes Monza one of the most thrilling circuits on the F1 calendar. The track’s ability to create dramatic finishes, like those witnessed in 2019, 2020, and 2021, ensures that Monza remains a favorite race for both drivers and fans alike.

With Ferrari’s and Hamilton’s success at the circuit and the unpredictable nature of the race, the Italian Grand Prix promises to deliver another unforgettable weekend of racing.