Autodromo Nazionale Monza

The Autodromo Nazionale Monza is the fastest circuit in Formula 1 and one of the most historic venues in motorsport. Known as the "Temple of Speed", Monza has hosted the Italian Grand Prix every year since 1950 (with the exception of 1980, when the race moved to Imola). The circuit is located in the Royal Villa of Monza park, just north of Milan, and combines long straights with chicanes designed to slow the cars. In the 1950s and 1960s, Monza featured a banked oval section that allowed cars to reach extraordinary speeds — the banking was last used in 1961. The current circuit features three DRS zones and the famous Lesmo corners, the Ascari chicane, and the Parabolica (now renamed Curva Alboreto). Cars reach speeds of over 360 km/h on the main straight, making Monza the circuit where engines are pushed hardest. The tifosi — Ferrari's passionate Italian fans — create an atmosphere unlike any other in motorsport. When Ferrari wins at Monza, the scenes of celebration are extraordinary. The 1988 Italian Grand Prix, when both McLarens retired and Gerhard Berger won for Ferrari, brought the tifosi to tears of joy.

Monza's history as a racing circuit dates back to 1922, making it one of the oldest purpose-built racing circuits in the world. The circuit was built in just 110 days by 3,500 workers. The original layout included a road circuit and a high-speed oval banking. The Italian Grand Prix has been held at Monza almost every year since 1950, making it one of the most consistent venues on the F1 calendar. The 1971 Italian Grand Prix was the closest finish in F1 history — Peter Gethin won by 0.01 seconds from Ronnie Peterson, with five cars covered by 0.61 seconds. The 1978 Italian Grand Prix was marred by the death of Ronnie Peterson, who died from injuries sustained in a first-lap accident. The 2019 Italian Grand Prix saw Charles Leclerc win for Ferrari — the team's first Italian GP victory since 2010 — to scenes of extraordinary celebration from the tifosi.