Italian Grand Prix 8th September
The circuit
The Autodromo di Monza is a flat, straight and high-speed circuit, that has been a fixture on the Formula One calendar since the inaugural race in 1950. It is one of the fastest races on the calendar, after Austria, albeit the circuit not being the shortest at nearly 5.8 km in length. The track features challenging corners of every kind, from low-speed chicanes to flowing bends. When it comes to the set-up of the car, the objective is to find a compromise between the lowest possible downforce level and maximum mechanical grip, with an accent on braking, traction and kerb riding.
History
The track was constructed in 1922, with a combined road and flat banking circuit. In the early days of circuit racing, the sheer speed of the track created many incidents, where the track was heavily modified by adding chicanes to slow down the cars in the 1930s. Further improvements were made in the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and in 1980 Monza went through a full revamp of the circuit including the pit boxes. As race car technology improved and the cars became faster, more was required to modify the circuit to ensure the safety of the drivers. However, it still remains one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, where the drivers need bravery, determination and skills to master it. There is always good racing at Monza, with some of the greatest races in Formula One – referred by locals as “La Pista Magica” (The Magical Place).
