A history of Monza circuit
Few motorsport venues have the legendary status and history of Monza racetrack. Home of many international events in Italy, such as the 6 Hours of Monza and the Italian Grand Prix, the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza has seen many a battle between some of the best drivers in the world. Yet, despite its rich history, Monza racetrack only took 110 days to construct in 1922 – it was the third purpose-built racetrack at the time.
The original circuit featured a series of challenging banked curves that tested the mettle of pioneer drivers. And more than 100 years later, those same curves still do so today. Let’s look at the Monza racetrack in all its glory, and the iconic role it has played in making motorsport so popular for millions:
We’ll explore:
Where is Monza racetrack?
You can find the Monza Circuit north of Milan next to the city of Monza. The track is on the grounds of the Royal Villa of Monza, right beside the Lambro River. As a venue it has hosted many races throughout the 20th Century, including endurance races since 1949.
One of the best ways to get to Monza for the upcoming 2023 World Endurance Championship race in September is by train from nearby cities such as Bergamo and Milan. However, if you’re looking for convenience and comfort, you can hire a car rental with Hertz from Monza town or Milan to get to the racetrack.
How old is Monza?
The original Monza circuit was built in 1922. Before its construction, Italian manufacturers were already entertaining the idea of building a major racing track to test drive their vehicles.
Structure of the first Monza racetrack
The first Monza racetrack was only 6.2 miles long (10 kilometers) and featured two loops. The first of the loops was 3.4 miles (5.5 kilometers) and the second loop was 2.79 miles (4.5 kilometers) with a high bank oval.
The old racetrack is still used to this day but has been modified. Before the changes, the track had long straights and fast corners. The Parabolica and chicanes later became part of the racetrack, and the Lesmo Corners were further modified in 1938 and 1994.
In the original layout, the oval consisted of two banked corners that had a 21-degree banking. Each of the corners had a radius of 1050 feet (320 meters) and were constructed for drivers to clock up to 112 mph (180 km/h).
The corners were merged by two straights running 4003 feet (1.22 kilometers) with the start/finish also merging with the racetrack.
Modifications to Monza racetrack
Modifications to the layout of the Monza racetrack were first proposed after a tragic crash in 1928. Italian driver Emilio Materassi was attempting to overtake Giulio Forest’s Bugatti. However, his Talbot vehicle plunged into nearby spectators, claiming the lives of over 20 people. The oval was therefore closed to slow down drivers on the main straight.
Florio Circuit
In 1930, an improved racetrack plan was formulated using existing infrastructure. A short straight and two rectangular corners connected the central straight and the oval. With this modified design, drivers would only use the Southern banking, with a chicane constructed near the end of the corner. This racetrack design was given the name the Florio Circuit.
The resulting Monza circuit of today is a mix of fast straights, sweeping corners and tight chicanes, making for dramatic racing action whatever the event.
Memorable Monza races
Let’s explore some of the most famous Monza races in history and discuss the incredible wins that have taken place at this circuit.
Ferrari’s begins its 1960s dominance
The mid-60s saw Ferrari build up a dominant streak of wins at the first 1000km races held at Monza. With the 275 and 330 models they won three on the bounce, driven by legendary drivers amongst which were Brits Mike Parkes and John Surtees. This set the foundation for more wins in the decade that followed.
The close Formula 1 finish of 1971
The 1971 Grand Prix is one of the closest Grand Prix finishes that has ever taken place at Monza. Peter Gethin emerged first and beat second placed Ronnie Peterson by 0.01 seconds.
Even more impressive was how close the frontrunners were in the race. The first five cars were separated by a mere 0.61 seconds.
The iconic Porsche 956 first wins in 1983
The 956 is one of the most recognisable endurance cars not only of its era, but all time. It gave Porsche a first win in the 6h of Monza in the 1983 race, sporting sophisticated aerodynamics that gave it the winning edge. Porsche went on the win the next four championships at a canter.
Ferrari ends McLaren’s winning streak in 1988
In 1988, McLaren was almost unbeatable. They had claimed every race in the season except one. However, Ferrari would end McLaren’s legendary run when McLaren driver Aryton Senna, who was leading up to lap 50, would collide with Jean Louis Schlesser. This allowed Ferarri to claim a first and second place win.
Lewis Hamilton Makes History in 2018
Lewis Hamilton has had some memorable races at Monza, but none more famous than his 2018 race. He clinched his fifth title then, tying him for the most wins on the track. This rivalled the previous record set by Michael Schumacher and is three more wins than legendary Italian driver Ayrton Senna.
Now that you know the history of this legendary racetrack, why not plan your trip to Monza for the upcoming 2023 World Endurance Championship race with Hertz? We provide convenient car rentals to enable you get to your destination quickly and comfortably. Book your rental today with Hertz and let’s get you to the Temple of Speed.
