Video: Ride onboard through the many forms of Monza

07th May 2024

Rachel Roberts

Formula 1’s next stop is in Italy, for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. However, before we get there, we thought we’d take a look at the history of one of the country’s most famous race tracks, Monza.

The circuit has seen over 100 years of racing, and with that, numerous changes to its layout. Perilous sloping banking stood for decades with no barricades to protect the crowds on the high-speed oval circuit, even after a major rebuilding and resurfacing of the track post war. F1 races took place here until 1970, until the now deemed ‘too dangerous’ oval was replaced by the road circuit.

Measures to further reduce speed later followed throughout the 1970s, including two chicanes added at the Variante del Rettifilo and Variante Ascari, and a third at Lesmo in 1976. The new millennium saw the main straight’s chicane altered from a double left right to a single right-left, the layout still raced on today.

Ferrari have enjoyed 19 victories at Monza, with Luigi Fagioli and namesake Alberto Ascari the sole Italian drivers to have won. More recently, Max Verstappen claimed the win in 2023 on his procession to the World Championship. Place yourself in the seat of icons and enjoy a ride through the ages at this iconic track.

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: Onboard Ferrari 599XX Evo screaming round Spa