By Joe Murphy
Monza is a city and comune located in the Lombardy region of Italy, about 15 kilometers north-northeast of Milan. It’s known for the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, a legendary racing circuit that’s hosted the Italian Grand Prix annually since 1950, except for 1980.
Monza has a rich history dating back to the Roman Empire and features a Romanesque-Gothic style Cathedral of Saint John, also known as the Duomo, which houses the Iron Crown. The city is also home to the Royal Villa of Monza, an 18th-century palace built by the Hapsburg family.
The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza is a 5.793 km circuit known for its high-speed nature and iconic corners like the Parabolica Curve and Variante Ascari. The track is part of the larger Parco di Monza, a 688-hectare park that also features a golf course and ornamental gardens.
Monza is easily accessible from Milan by train, with journeys taking around 10-15 minutes. The city is a great day-trip destination, offering a mix of history, culture, and excitement.
The Italian Grand Prix has a long history of exciting winners. Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton are among the most successful drivers, with five wins each. Schumacher’s wins came in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006, while Hamilton’s wins came in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018. Nelson Piquet also had significant success, with four wins in 1980, 1983, 1986, and 1987.
Ferrari is the most successful team at Monza, with 21 wins, including recent victories in 2019 and 2024 with Charles Leclerc. McLaren and Mercedes have also had success, with 11 and 9 wins respectively. Recent winners include Charles Leclerc in 2024, Max Verstappen in 2023 and 2022, and Pierre Gasly in 2020. With its rich history and fast-paced track, Monza continues to be a highlight of the Formula 1 calendar.
With Oscar Piastri missing out on FP1, Lando has a bit of extra track acclimatisation. Whilst it doesn’t count for much, Lando really needs to close the gap to his teammate in the championship standings. However, if FP1 is anything to go by, Ferrari could stand in their way. With Lewis Hamilton set for a five place penalty, Charles Leclerc looks to be McLaren’s main opposition.
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