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Automotive Meccas: Monza

The red Ferrari cars are the most at home in Monza.

Monza is the ultimate mecca for speed in Italy, it is where the Tifosi gather to see their famous red cars strive for victory and despite the addition of a chicane, or two, it is extremely fast, is there a circuit on the Formula 1 calendar that has more passion?

As with all circuits Monza has been developed and refined over the years. It was completed in 1922 and has gone through nine iterations in the years following, leaving us with a circuit that resembles its original form, but has been slowed somewhat. But it remains a spectacle despite the changes.

When we think about Formula 1 one of the images that will spring to mind is the Tifosi running down the main straight and towards the podium to sing the national anthem and applaud their heroes, only in Italy is there quite this level of euphoria.

The circuit has, in its history had a banked oval circuit, a normal ‘street’ configuration and a combination of them both. Today it is obvious that the banking cannot accommodate most modern racing cars and is a redundant feature. It still exists though, and adds to the charm of the place – very different to the sterile nature of the Hermann Tilke designed circuits that proliferate the Formula 1 calendar nowadays.

The track was built by 3,500 workers and comprised of a 2.8 mile ‘loop track’ and a 3.42 mile road track. However, the high speed nature of the track, and the dangers therein did not take long to manifest themselves and in 1928 there was a track revision.

The death of Italian driver Emilio Materassi and 27 spectators after a high speed crunch in 1927 and the death of three further drivers in 1933 led to the reduction of the long main straights and the addition of some chicanes, a common solution when it comes to reducing speeds.

The circuit has been altered, as I mentioned above, a number of times, with major building works taking place just before the Second World War with work completed in 1939.

Formula 1 cars reach in excess of 200mph at Monza, and used to go upwards of 230 mph before large amounts of aerodynamic drag and reduced engine size and power curbed speeds. However, corners such as the Curve Grande and the Lesmos split the men from the boys, and with average speeds of over 160 mph in a modern F1 car bravery is a must. The Italian fans would accept little else.

Of the current Formula 1 tracks Monza is the one that has had the most Grand Prix, with 61 taking place so far at the famous circuit. But that is a testament to the Italian fans and the passion that surrounds the circuit and the Italian Grand Prix.

Of course there are other races that go on at Monza, for instance the 1000km of Monza, but it is the red cars of Ferrari tearing their way through the trees that bring the Tifosi back. There is little else like it in the world of motor racing. One word: Passion.

If you can't get enough, join Alain Prost for a lap around Monza or revive the vintage track feeling from 1967 here.

Italy is all about supercars and speed, as I explained in countries and their cars: Italy, and Nardo is the place where this need for speed is best exemplified, with records falling and amazing feats of speed and daring occurring on almost a daily basis. So I’ll leave you with a video of the (newly Porsche owned) Nardo test track…