The Italian Grand Prix is one of the longest running races in Formula 1 history and has been part of Formula 1 since the inaugural 1950 season. The track Monza has been a part of the F1 calendar every year apart from the 1980 Grand Prix when the race was shifted to Imola as Monza underwent major redevelopment.
The track – Monza
Since its first Grand Prix in 1950, the track has undergone numerous changes, and the current configuration came into existence in the 2000 season. The current version of the track includes eleven turns in total with three chicanes.
The memorable Parabolica was added to the circuit design in 1955 when a dual configuration of the track was used for the race.
Following multiple tragedies both at Monza and its sister track Imola, changes were incorporated into the track to reduce the speed on several turns including the iconic Lesmo curve.
The Formula 1 cars had become considerably faster in the early 70s, and the 1971 Italian Grand Prix was the fastest race of the calendar. Chicanes were added to the track on the pit straight and at the Curva del Vialone to reduce the overall speed of the Grand Prix.
First winner
Driving the Alfa Romeo, Giuseppe Farina won the inaugural Italian Grand Prix in 1950.
Drivers from Italy
The current F1 grid does not feature any Italian drivers.
Some of the most successful Italian Formula 1 drivers include Giuseppe Farina and Alberto Ascari. Farina secured the world championship once, while Ascari won the championship gold twice in as many years. Alberto Ascari’s secured his first drivers’ championship in 1952.
Jarno Trulli and Giancarlo Fisichella are the most recent Italians who managed to register a Formula 1 victory.
Most successful drivers
Michael Schumacher holds the record for being the most successful driver at the Italian Grand Prix. The prolific German has five wins to his name at this track. He is followed by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Nelson Piquet who hold four wins each.
Latest from the Italian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton won the last four Italian Grand Prix and would be determined to make it five in a row and etch his name into the history books alongside Michael Schumacher.
Ferrari recorded 19 wins at its home Grand Prix. However, Fernando Alonso’s win at Monza in 2010 was the last time a driver racing the Prancing Horse stood at the top of the podium.
