Among the ever-growing number of Grand Prixes in calendar, there are definitely some which carry more than just a racing weekend. Some rounds have been theatre of fierce on track battles for many, many seasons, as well as have unfortunately hosted dark pages of the history of the sport.
History of the track
Home race to the Scuderia Ferrari fans, Monza has been on the Formula 1 calendar since the beginning of its history in 1950. The Italian track is the second oldest circuit ever built, with only Indianapolis being its senior. Some of the most talented drivers and championship winners have won in Monza.
World Champions such as Micheal Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, both five times winners at the temple of speed, or Niki Lauda and Ayrton Senna, two times winner with the Brazilian on pole five times are some of the most successful drivers at the location.
In most recent years, Pierre Gasly, Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc have added, or wrote down again, their names to the honour roll, and new generations of drivers will have the same chance. Formula 1 has signed a six year contract extension with the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza to keep the illustrious race track on the calendar until 2031.
The pre-existing deal extended to 2025, with the next Monza race date set on the 5th-7th of September. The latest round at the track, which saw Scuderia Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc scoring his team’s home win, had a significant weekend attendance of over 335’000 fans.
The Future of the Track
CEO and President of Formula 1 Stefano Domenicali expressed his pleasure in the announcement, thanking all parts involved in the renegotiation of the deal:
“I am delighted that the Italian Grand Prix will remain on the calendar until 2031. Monza is at the very heart of Formula 1 history and the atmosphere each year is unique as the Tifosi gather in huge numbers to cheer on Ferrari and the drivers.”
“The recent upgrades to the circuit’s infrastructure and the planned investment show a strong commitment to the long-term future of Formula 1 in Italy, and I want to thank the President of the Automobile Club d’Italia, the Italian Government, and the Lombardy Region for their continued passion and commitment to our sport. I also want to pay tribute to our incredible fans across the country who support Formula 1 so passionately.”
A safer Monza, on and off track
President of the Automobile Club d’Italia Angelo Sticchi Damiani as well saluted the permanence of Monza in the ever-changing Formula 1 calendar with joy. He highlighted the importance the recent and upcoming renovations had and will have in improving the track experience for fans and drivers alike:
“It’s a great honour for us, the Automobile Club of Italy (ACI), to have succeeded in guaranteeing the hosting of six more Italian Grand Prix F1 seasons at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza after 2025. We must thank the valuable and decisive contribution of the current President and CEO of Formula 1 Group, Stefano Domenicali, who made this contract extension possible.”
“Much as we should, certainly, thank the Italian Government, the Lombardy Region, and all the local institutions that have allowed the Italian Grand Prix to attract, during the last editions, an ever-increasing number of enthusiastic fans. In particular, I want to emphasize the key contribution of the Italian Government and the Lombardy Region, which have invested resources in this centenarian circuit and funded the works carried out this year.”
“As we all know, Monza is the oldest racetrack in the world to host a race of the World Championship, and it is also the longest-running event on the World Championship calendar. We are all aware that history is no longer enough. Following the resurfacing of the track and underpasses to improve the safety on track and for the fans, we are now faced with a new challenge in 2025. Improving the quality and quantity of hospitality offerings. With this goal in mind, we are already working to keep ahead of the standards required by modern Formula 1.”
