Ferrari holds an unparalleled record at the Italian Grand Prix, having claimed more victories at Monza than any other team in Formula 1 history. Over the decades, the Scuderia has celebrated 20 wins at its home race, achieved by 11 different drivers, solidifying Ferrari’s reputation as the dominant force at Italy’s legendary high-speed circuit. The team’s connection to Monza is deeply ingrained, with every victory adding to a rich heritage that continues to capture the imagination of motorsport fans around the world.
Ferrari did not take long to secure their first Italian Grand Prix win, achieving the milestone in only the second season of Formula 1 in 1951. Alberto Ascari, the Milan-born racing prodigy, drove to victory at Monza, establishing his place in Ferrari and Italian motorsport history. Ascari’s legacy at the venue would continue, as he returned to the top step of the podium the following year in 1952. Monza has honoured Ascari’s contribution ever since, with a corner of the legendary track named after the Italian driver in 1972, cementing his connection to Ferrari and the home Grand Prix.
In terms of sheer dominance at Monza, only Michael Schumacher has matched and surpassed Ascari’s Italian Grand Prix success with Ferrari in the modern era. The German racing legend took victory at Monza five times during his career with Ferrari, winning the Italian Grand Prix in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006. Looking to the future, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc is aiming to win his third Italian Grand Prix for the Scuderia in 2025, building on his previous triumphs and continuing the team’s historic relationship with Monza.
Charles Leclerc won the 2024 Italian Grand Prix using a carefully executed one-stop strategy, which notably punished McLaren after Australian driver Oscar Piastri overtook teammate Lando Norris on the opening lap into the Variante del Rettifilo chicane. Charles Leclerc’s victory added to his earlier Monza triumph in 2019, when he converted pole position into a commanding win, demonstrating his consistency and skill at Ferrari’s home circuit.
The 2025 Formula 1 season also presents the possibility of seeing an Italian driver win the Italian Grand Prix for the first time since 1966, following Mercedes’ decision to place Bologna-born Andrea Kimi Antonelli on the grid to replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who had switched from Mercedes to Ferrari after 12 years with the Silver Arrows. Such a scenario would mark a historic moment for Italian motorsport fans, eager to see a homegrown talent achieve glory at Monza once again.
No Italian driver has achieved victory at their home Grand Prix since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966, who won in only his fourth Formula 1 appearance. Scarfiotti’s triumph was not only his first win but also his only podium finish in the championship, making his achievement particularly remarkable. Between 1963 and 1968, Scarfiotti entered a total of 16 Grands Prix, though he was never a full-time regular in the Formula 1 paddock. The Turin-born driver started just 10 of those races, including six starts for Ferrari, one for Eagle, and three with Cooper, completing only six races in total.
While Scarfiotti’s time with Ferrari produced mixed results, his performances with Cooper were comparatively stronger outside of his landmark Italian Grand Prix victory. During the 1968 season, Scarfiotti achieved fourth-place finishes in Spain and Monaco with Cooper, whereas his other results with Ferrari included sixth, ninth, and sixth-place finishes, highlighting both the challenges and potential he faced with the Scuderia.
Winning a home Grand Prix is a dream for any driver, and achieving such a feat with Ferrari at Monza is a pinnacle of Italian motorsport ambition. Scarfiotti accomplished precisely that, claiming victory at the 1966 Italian Grand Prix and beating his Ferrari teammate, British driver Mike Parkes, by 5.8 seconds after 68 intense laps. Parkes had initially secured pole position with a 1:31.3 lap around Monza, narrowly edging Scarfiotti by just 0.3 seconds and placing two Ferraris on the front row. Despite this, Scarfiotti, who had gained experience mainly as a key member of Ferrari’s sports car program, emerged triumphant in the race.
Interestingly, Scarfiotti was not originally scheduled to compete in the 1966 Formula 1 season. Ferrari handed him the opportunity to drive a Ferrari 246 at the German Grand Prix earlier that year and later a Ferrari 312/66 for the Italian Grand Prix, following the sudden departure of 1964 world champion John Surtees from the team. Surtees’ unexpected exit presented Scarfiotti with a rare chance, and the team also devoted extensive work to develop and optimise their V12 engine in the month-long gap between the German and Italian Grands Prix, providing the Turin-born driver with a competitive car for Monza.
At the start of the 1966 Italian Grand Prix, Scarfiotti briefly seized the lead, only to fall to seventh on the opening lap as Lorenzo Bandini, Mike Parkes, John Surtees, Richie Ginther, and Jack Brabham overtook him. However, the Italian driver quickly regained momentum, showcasing his skill, composure, and racecraft to return to the lead by Lap 13. His consistent pace and strategic driving were ultimately sufficient to secure victory at Monza, ensuring that Ludovico Scarfiotti would be remembered forever as the last Italian driver to win the Italian Grand Prix for Ferrari and for achieving one of the most iconic triumphs in the Scuderia’s storied history.
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