A sea of red on race day, the evocative and
legendary Monza circuit has held more grands prix than any other venue,
having hosted a race in all but one season since the World
Championship's inception in 1950.
Previous winners
-
2012: Lewis Hamilton
-
2011: Sebastian Vettel
-
2010: Fernando Alonso
-
2009: Rubens Barrichello
-
2008: Sebastian Vettel
-
2007: Fernando Alonso
-
2005: Juan Pablo Montoya
-
2004: Rubens Barrichello
-
2003: Michael Schumacher
-
2002: Rubens Barrichello
Famed as much for its atmosphere as for the racing it produces, Monza
is surely the loudest venue on the grid, with the cars running flat-out
for over 80 per cent of the lap and the passionate 'Tifosi' not shy in
voicing support for their beloved Ferrari.
The crowd invasion, which takes place at the end of every Italian GP,
has become as much a part of the end-of-race proceedings as the
chequered flag and podium ceremony.
One minor quibble is that the race tends to be relatively short, with
the 190-mile distance usually rattled through in about an hour and 20
minutes. Yet part of the circuit's considerable charm is that the venue
has changed little since its opening in 1922 and any further amendments
would bound to be treated as an act of heresy.
A relatively simple layout means that Monza has always been a record
breaker in terms of speed. Peter Gethin's win in 1971 was achieved at a
record-breaking average speed of 150.7mph. Chicanes were introduced the
following year but F1 was back up to speed eventually - Michael
Schumacher's 2003 victory (153.8mph) setting the current benchmark.
Twelve months later, Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello set the
fastest ever pole position (average speed 161.8mph) at Monza.
Monza also has a banked track, although it was last used in a grand
prix in 1961 - a tragic race during which Wolfgang von Trips, together
with 15 spectators, lost their lives when the World Champion-elect lost
control of his Ferrari on the approach to the Parabolica.
Behind that particular corner lies part of the banking, which might
now be in a state of disrepair but also remains a constant reminder of
the venue's heritage to future generations of fans and drivers.
While the prospect of a grand prix around the streets of Rome has
been floated in recent years, and Imola - which hosted the Italian GP in
1980 - had a sustained run on the calendar, the Italian Grand Prix at
Monza rightly remains a classic and is always a fitting way to end the
European season.
