Italian Grand Prix at Monza: Circuit Guide, History and Records
The Italian Grand Prix is one of Formula 1’s oldest, fastest and most prestigious events. The race was first held near Brescia in 1921 before moving to the newly built Autodromo Nazionale Monza one year later. Monza subsequently became part of the inaugural Formula 1 World Championship in 1950 and has hosted the championship’s Italian Grand Prix every season apart from 1980, when the event took place at Imola.
Looking for historical Formula 1 records at Monza? Explore our Monza F1 Records & Statistics database for all-time wins, poles, podiums, Ferrari records and race and qualifying lap records.
Known around the world as the Temple of Speed, Monza combines exceptionally long straights with major braking zones, fast corners and a passionate atmosphere created by Ferrari’s tifosi. The 2026 Italian Grand Prix will take place from Friday 4 September to Sunday 6 September, forming the 13th round of the Formula 1 season.
For Ferrari, Monza is more than simply a home race. It represents the meeting point between the Scuderia’s history, Italian motorsport culture and the expectations placed on Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in front of the team’s most passionate supporters.
Follow the latest Ferrari news, technical updates and results from the 2026 Italian Grand Prix.
2026 Italian Grand Prix at a glance
| Event | 2026 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix |
|---|---|
| Dates | 4–6 September 2026 |
| Championship round | Round 13 |
| Venue | Autodromo Nazionale Monza |
| Location | Monza, Lombardy, Italy |
| Circuit length | 5.793 km |
| Number of laps | 53 |
| Race distance | 306.72 km |
| Race start | Sunday 6 September at 15:00 local time |
| Format | Standard Grand Prix weekend |
2026 Italian Grand Prix schedule
The 2026 Italian Grand Prix weekend follows the traditional Formula 1 format, with two practice sessions on Friday, final practice and qualifying on Saturday, and the race on Sunday.
| Session | Date | Local time |
|---|---|---|
| Free Practice 1 | Friday 4 September | 10:30–11:30 |
| Free Practice 2 | Friday 4 September | 14:00–15:00 |
| Free Practice 3 | Saturday 5 September | 10:30–11:30 |
| Qualifying | Saturday 5 September | 14:00–15:00 |
| Race | Sunday 6 September | 15:00 |
All times are local Monza time and remain subject to confirmation or timetable changes by Formula 1 and the event organisers.
You can also consult the complete 2026 Formula 1 schedule and race results, the latest Formula 1 driver standings and the current constructor standings.
What happened at the 2025 Italian Grand Prix?
Max Verstappen won the 2025 Italian Grand Prix for Red Bull after starting from pole position. Lando Norris finished second ahead of McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, while Charles Leclerc produced Ferrari’s best result in fourth place. Lewis Hamilton completed the race in sixth position in the second Ferrari.
The weekend also produced new Monza benchmarks. Max Verstappen claimed pole with a 1:18.792 lap, setting the fastest qualifying lap and fastest average-speed lap recorded in Formula 1 history. Lando Norris established the current race lap record with a time of 1:20.901.
Recent Italian Grand Prix winners
| Year | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2024 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 2023 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2022 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2021 | Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren |
| 2020 | Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri |
| 2019 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 2018 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
Monza circuit information
| Official circuit name | Autodromo Nazionale Monza |
|---|---|
| Circuit length | 5.793 km |
| Race laps | 53 |
| Race distance | 306.72 km |
| Number of corners | 11 |
| Track direction | Clockwise |
| Race lap record | 1:20.901 – Lando Norris, McLaren, 2025 |
| Fastest qualifying lap | 1:18.792 – Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 2025 |
| Most Italian GP victories | Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton – five each |
| Most successful constructor | Ferrari – 20 victories |
Why is Monza called the Temple of Speed?
Monza earned its famous nickname because of the exceptional speeds generated around its long straights and low-downforce layout. Formula 1 cars spend much of the lap at full throttle and can exceed 350 km/h before braking for the first chicane.
However, outright speed is only part of the challenge. Drivers must repeatedly slow the car from very high speeds, attack the kerbs without destabilising the chassis and preserve enough traction to accelerate efficiently onto the next straight. A small mistake under braking can compromise an entire sequence of corners and leave a driver vulnerable to an attack.
The importance of slipstreaming also influences qualifying and racing. Following another car can provide a substantial speed advantage on the straights, but drivers must manage the gap carefully to avoid losing too much grip through the corners or encountering traffic at the end of a flying lap.
A lap of the Monza Formula 1 circuit
Start-finish straight and Variante del Rettifilo
The lap begins on Monza’s long start-finish straight. Drivers approach the opening Variante del Rettifilo at extremely high speed before completing one of the heaviest braking events of the Formula 1 season. The narrow right-left chicane often produces action at the beginning of the race, when several cars attempt to occupy a limited amount of space.
Braking stability, front-tyre control and clean traction are essential. Running too aggressively over the kerbs can unsettle the car, while a poor exit leaves the driver exposed through the following flat-out section.
Curva Grande and Variante della Roggia
After the first chicane, the cars accelerate through Curva Grande, also known as Curva Biassono. It is normally taken at full throttle before the drivers brake hard again for Variante della Roggia.
The second chicane requires an accurate change of direction and effective kerb use. The exit is particularly important because it leads towards the two Lesmo corners, where rear stability and confidence become increasingly significant.
The two Lesmo corners
Lesmo 1 is a medium-speed right-hander that demands a precise entry and controlled rotation. Lesmo 2 follows shortly afterwards and places even greater emphasis on exit speed because it feeds onto the long Serraglio section.
A driver who loses momentum at the second Lesmo carries that disadvantage along the straight and towards the Ascari chicane. This makes the corner one of the most important places on the lap for balancing risk against consistency.
Variante Ascari
Ascari is one of Monza’s most spectacular sections. The left-right-left sequence is approached at high speed and requires commitment, precision and a stable car over the kerbs. The first part of the chicane determines the line through the rest of the complex.
An error at Ascari is especially costly because the exit leads onto another long flat-out section. Drivers therefore need to maintain speed without compromising control or exceeding the track limits.
Curva Alboreto
The lap ends at Curva Alboreto, the fast right-hander formerly known as Parabolica. The corner was renamed in honour of former Ferrari driver Michele Alboreto in 2021.
Drivers brake while beginning to turn, carry speed through the long radius and attempt to apply the throttle as early as possible. A strong exit is vital because it determines speed along the entire start-finish straight and can create an overtaking opportunity into Turn 1.
Why Formula 1 teams use low-downforce setups at Monza
Monza requires one of the most specialised aerodynamic packages of the season. Teams normally reduce wing levels to limit drag and maximise straight-line speed. The resulting cars can look visibly different from the higher-downforce configurations used at circuits such as Monaco, Budapest or Singapore.
Reducing downforce creates several compromises. The car becomes less stable under braking, more difficult to control over the kerbs and more sensitive through corners such as the Lesmos, Ascari and Curva Alboreto. Engineers must therefore find an effective balance between aerodynamic efficiency and driver confidence.
Ferrari’s preparation typically focuses on straight-line performance, braking stability, traction and tyre management. The team must also evaluate how its setup behaves both in clean air and while following another car. Explore the latest developments in our Ferrari technical analysis archive.
History of the Italian Grand Prix
The first Italian Grand Prix took place in 1921 on a road circuit near Brescia. The Autodromo Nazionale Monza was then constructed in only 110 days during 1922 and became the third purpose-built permanent racing circuit in the world, after Brooklands in Britain and Indianapolis in the United States.
Monza opened in September 1922 and hosted the second Italian Grand Prix only a week later. Its original configuration combined a road course with a high-speed banked oval, creating an approximately 10-kilometre layout capable of producing remarkable speeds.
The banking was incorporated into several World Championship Italian Grands Prix during the 1950s and early 1960s. However, growing safety concerns eventually brought its Formula 1 use to an end. Parts of the historic banking remain visible around the park and continue to provide a striking reminder of the circuit’s past.
The Italian Grand Prix has appeared in every Formula 1 World Championship season since 1950. Monza has hosted every championship edition except 1980, when renovation work led to the race being staged at Imola.
For more on Scuderia Ferrari’s history, championships, drivers, records and traditions, visit our Ferrari F1 FAQ.
Tragedy, safety and the evolution of Monza
Monza’s history contains moments of triumph but also several of motorsport’s darkest chapters. The risks created by high speeds, limited protection and early circuit designs resulted in serious accidents involving both competitors and spectators.
During the 1961 Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari driver Wolfgang von Trips was killed together with 15 spectators following a collision with Jim Clark. Phil Hill won the race for Ferrari and secured the Drivers’ Championship, but the scale of the tragedy overshadowed the sporting result. Formula 1 never again used Monza’s combined road and banked layout.
Jochen Rindt died during qualifying for the 1970 Italian Grand Prix and later became Formula 1’s only posthumous world champion. Ronnie Peterson was involved in a major start-line accident in 1978 and died in hospital the following day.
Monza has been modified repeatedly to improve safety while preserving its high-speed identity. Chicanes were introduced and subsequently redesigned, barriers and run-off areas evolved, and the modern circuit now presents a very different challenge from the original layout.
Ferrari’s greatest Italian Grand Prix moments
Ferrari and Monza share one of the strongest emotional connections in Formula 1. The circuit has hosted championship celebrations, unexpected victories and some of the defining moments in the Scuderia’s history.
Alberto Ascari establishes Ferrari’s early success
Alberto Ascari helped establish Ferrari as a dominant Formula 1 force during the early 1950s. His Italian Grand Prix victories formed part of the campaigns that brought him consecutive Drivers’ Championships in 1952 and 1953.
Niki Lauda seals the 1975 world title
Ferrari returned to championship success at Monza in 1975. Clay Regazzoni won the race, while Niki Lauda finished third and secured his first Drivers’ Championship. Ferrari also celebrated the Constructors’ Championship in front of its home supporters.
Jody Scheckter and Gilles Villeneuve deliver a perfect result
In 1979, Jody Scheckter won the Italian Grand Prix and secured the Drivers’ Championship. Gilles Villeneuve finished second, completing a Ferrari one-two and ensuring that the title was decided in the Scuderia’s favour at Monza.
Ferrari’s emotional 1988 one-two
The 1988 Italian Grand Prix took place only weeks after the death of Enzo Ferrari. Ayrton Senna’s late retirement allowed Gerhard Berger and Michele Alboreto to secure an emotional Ferrari one-two. It was also the only Grand Prix that McLaren failed to win during that dominant season.
Michael Schumacher’s Monza victories
Michael Schumacher won at Monza for Ferrari five times, beginning in 1996. His victories helped strengthen his relationship with the tifosi and became central to Ferrari’s return to the top of Formula 1. His emotional 2000 triumph came during the season in which Ferrari finally ended its long wait for a Drivers’ Championship.
Charles Leclerc ends Ferrari’s long wait in 2019
Charles Leclerc resisted intense pressure to win the 2019 Italian Grand Prix, giving Ferrari its first Monza victory since Fernando Alonso’s success in 2010. The result came one week after Leclerc had earned his first Formula 1 win at Spa-Francorchamps.
Charles Leclerc wins again in 2024
Five years later, Charles Leclerc delivered another famous Ferrari victory at Monza. Ferrari committed to a one-stop strategy, and the Monegasque driver managed his tyres to defeat the McLarens and secure the Scuderia’s 20th Italian Grand Prix win.
Italian Grand Prix records and statistics
- Most driver victories: Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, with five each.
- Most constructor victories: Ferrari, with 20.
- Most pole positions: Lewis Hamilton, with seven.
- Current race lap record: Lando Norris, 1:20.901 in 2025.
- Fastest qualifying lap: Max Verstappen, 1:18.792 in 2025.
- First Italian Grand Prix: 1921.
- First Italian Grand Prix at Monza: 1922.
- First Formula 1 World Championship Italian Grand Prix: 1950.
- Only World Championship Italian GP not held at Monza: 1980 at Imola.
- Most recent Ferrari victory: Charles Leclerc in 2024.
Why the Italian Grand Prix matters so much to Ferrari
Ferrari competes under extraordinary pressure at every Grand Prix, but Monza carries a different level of emotional and historical significance. The grandstands are dominated by red, Ferrari flags fill the park and thousands of supporters gather beneath the podium after the race.
A competitive Ferrari performance can transform the entire atmosphere of the weekend. A victory at Monza is not simply another result in the championship; it becomes part of the team’s identity and is remembered alongside the Scuderia’s most important achievements.
The Italian Grand Prix also provides a demanding technical examination. Monza exposes weaknesses in efficiency, braking stability and traction, making it an important reference point for evaluating the performance of Ferrari’s Formula 1 car.
Frequently asked questions about the Italian Grand Prix
When is the 2026 Italian Grand Prix?
The 2026 Italian Grand Prix will take place from Friday 4 September to Sunday 6 September. The race is currently scheduled to begin at 15:00 local time on Sunday.
Where is the Italian Grand Prix held?
The race is held at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, situated within Monza Park in Lombardy, north-east of Milan.
How long is the Monza circuit?
The current Formula 1 circuit is 5.793 kilometres long. The Italian Grand Prix covers 53 laps and a total race distance of 306.72 kilometres.
Why is Monza known as the Temple of Speed?
Monza receives this name because its layout features exceptionally long straights, low-downforce setups and some of the highest speeds reached during the Formula 1 season.
Who has won the Italian Grand Prix most often?
Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton share the driver record with five victories each. Ferrari is the most successful constructor, with 20 wins.
When did Ferrari last win at Monza?
Charles Leclerc delivered Ferrari’s most recent Italian Grand Prix victory in 2024, using a one-stop strategy to finish ahead of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Is the 2026 Italian Grand Prix a Sprint weekend?
No. The 2026 Italian Grand Prix is currently scheduled as a standard weekend with three practice sessions, qualifying and the Grand Prix.
Follow Ferrari at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix
ScuderiaFans will provide complete coverage of Ferrari’s 2026 Italian Grand Prix weekend, including practice reports, qualifying analysis, race results, technical developments, strategy assessments and reactions from Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and the Maranello team.
Visit our dedicated 2026 Italian Grand Prix archive for the latest Ferrari news from Monza.
Plan your trip to the Italian Grand Prix
- Trackside tips and activities for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza
- How to reach Monza by plane, train, car and local transport
- Everything to know before attending the Italian Grand Prix
- How to find Italian Grand Prix ticket deals
- Where to stay during the Monza Formula 1 weekend
- Travel advice for visiting Monza during the Italian Grand Prix
- Things to see and do in Milan during your Formula 1 trip
- Italian Grand Prix costs and budget guide
- More Italian Grand Prix statistics and Ferrari highlights
- Why every Ferrari supporter should experience the Italian Grand Prix
