The Monza circuit, officially the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, is one of the most iconic and historic circuits on the Formula 1 calendar. Located in the royal park just north of Milan, this track has been known for one thing since the inception of the world championship: pure, unadulterated speed.
For Formula 1 fans, a race weekend at the 'Temple of Speed' is an absolute classic. We list the key facts, figures, and characteristics of this legendary circuit.
Key facts about the circuit
Monza is one of the oldest permanently built circuits in the world and exudes motorsport history in every corner.
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Location: Monza (near Milan), Italy
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Circuit length: 5.793 kilometers
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Number of turns: 11 (4 left, 7 right)
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First F1 Grand Prix: 1950 (present since the very first F1 season)
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Lap record: 1:21.046 (Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari – 2004)
What makes Monza so unique?
Monza distinguishes itself from all other tracks on the calendar in several ways:
1. Maximum full throttle time
Approximately 80% of the lap, drivers have the accelerator fully pressed. With long straights such as the Rettifilo start-finish section and the Viale Mirabello, cars achieve the highest top speeds of the season here.
2. Specific 'Low Downforce' setup
Because air resistance on the long straights costs time, teams at Monza use extremely thin, almost flat rear wings. This allows for top speeds exceeding 350 km/h, but makes the cars significantly more unstable and harder to control in the braking zones and chicanes.
3. Famous corners and overtaking spots
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Variante del Rettifilo (Turns 1 & 2): The famous first chicane after the long straight. Drivers brake here from over 350 km/h to approximately 70 km/h. This is the absolute prime overtaking spot on the circuit and a notorious place for incidents at the start.
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Variante della Roggia (Turns 4 & 5): The second fast chicane where late braking can be rewarded with an overtake.
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Lesmo 1 & 2 (Turns 6 & 7): Two fast right-hand corners where precision and carrying speed onto the Serraglio straight are crucial.
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Variante Ascari (Turns 8, 9 & 10): A fast, flowing combination of corners where cars dance over the kerbs.
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Curva Parabolica / Curva Alboreto (Turn 11): The long, sweeping final corner that is crucial for speed on the subsequent straight towards the finish line.
4. The Tifosi and the steep banking
Monza is Ferrari's home circuit. The crowd — better known as the Tifosi — fills the grandstands predominantly in red. After the race, the circuit traditionally fills up for the famous podium ceremony above the pit lane. Right next to the modern circuit are also the remains of the old, steep banking (l'Ovale) from the 1950s and 1960s.
Monza facts at a glance
| Element | Detail |
| Number of laps in GP | 53 laps |
| Total race distance | 306.72 kilometers |
| F1 car top speed | > 350 km/h |
| DRS zones | 2 zones (Start-finish & towards Ascari) |
| Braking demands | Extremely heavy on the brakes due to hard decelerations |
Bring the passion for Formula 1 home
Monza's unique atmosphere and the historic victories achieved there make the circuit a favourite theme for collectors. Whether it's miniature helmets, F1 scale models, or LEGO constructions of iconic race cars: the memories of the 'Temple of Speed' deserve a special place.
With Boldons' wall mounts and display stands, you can neatly and securely display your Formula 1 collection. This way, you can easily create your own motorsport corner in your mancave or study.
Visit Boldons' webshop for all handy display solutions for your motorsport memorabilia.
