Autodromo Nazionale Monza
Monza is the Temple of Speed: a fast, flat circuit in a royal park just north of Milan, where Formula 1 cars spend about 80% of the lap at full throttle and the old concrete banking still curls through the trees. It has hosted the Italian Grand Prix almost every year since 1922. Here’s what you’ll want to know before you go to the Grand Prix, book a track day or fire it up in Gran Turismo: the name, the history, a corner-by-corner lap, the lap records, the calendar and how to visit.
Monza at a Glance
Length 5.793 km / 3.600 mi Grand Prix circuit, current layout since 2000
Turns 11 run clockwise, with three chicanes
Top speed About 365 km/h / 227 mph Formula 1 peak in the 2025 race
Opened September 3, 1922 built in about 110 days
Location & owner Monza Park, Lombardy about 15 km / 9 mi north of Milan, owned by the cities of Monza and Milan
Race lap record 1:20.901 Lando Norris, McLaren, Formula 1, 2025
Monza, Autodromo Nazionale or the Temple of Speed?
All the same place. The official name is Autodromo Nazionale Monza, the “national racetrack” built by the Automobile Club of Milan in 1922, but everyone just says Monza. Its nickname, the Temple of Speed, is earned: long straights joined by chicanes give it the highest average lap speeds in Formula 1.
The corner names are worth learning, because commentators use them constantly. The first chicane is the Prima Variante (it used to be the Variante del Rettifilo). Curva Biassono, also called Curva Grande, is named after the nearby village. The second chicane, Variante della Roggia, takes its name from a stream. The two Lesmo corners were once the Curva delle Querce, the “oak tree” curve. Variante Ascari honors Alberto Ascari, who was killed testing a car there in 1955. And the long final corner, the Parabolica for decades, has officially been Curva Alboreto since 2021, after Milan-born Ferrari driver Michele Alboreto.
The track sits inside Monza Park, one of the largest walled parks in Europe. It’s owned by the cities of Monza and Milan and run by SIAS for the Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI), whose concession was extended in July 2026 through the end of 2044.
Monza History
Monza was built to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Automobile Club of Milan, and it went from first stone to opening day in a single summer. Since then it has hosted the Italian Grand Prix in every year but one of the Formula 1 World Championship, and its speed has made it both the most thrilling and, at times, the most tragic circuit in the sport’s history.
- 1922 About 3,500 workers build the track in roughly 110 days, combining a road course and a high-speed ring for a 10 km lap. It opens on September 3, and Pietro Bordino wins the Italian Grand Prix a week later in a Fiat.
- 1928 Emilio Materassi crashes into the crowd during the Italian Grand Prix, killing himself and 27 spectators.
- 1933 Giuseppe Campari, Baconin Borzacchini and Stanisław Czaykowski are all killed on the same day, and chicanes are added afterward.
- 1955 A new concrete high-speed oval with steep banking opens, along with the Parabolica. Alberto Ascari dies testing a Ferrari sports car that May.
- 1957–1958 The Race of Two Worlds brings American Indy cars to the banking, with average speeds above 257 km/h (160 mph).
- 1961 Wolfgang von Trips and spectators are killed after a collision during the Italian Grand Prix. Racing on the banking for Formula 1 ends after this year.
- 1970 Jochen Rindt is killed at the Parabolica in practice and becomes Formula 1’s only posthumous world champion.
- 1971 Peter Gethin wins by 0.01 seconds, and the first five cars finish within 0.61 seconds. His average of 242.615 km/h stands as Formula 1’s fastest race until 2003.
- 1972 Chicanes go in at the Rettifilo and at Ascari to slow the cars.
- 1978 Ronnie Peterson dies after a first-lap crash at the start.
- 2000 Marshal Paolo Gislimberti is killed by debris, and the first chicane is redesigned into today’s right-left Prima Variante, giving the current 5.793 km lap.
- 2020–2021 Pierre Gasly takes a shock first win for AlphaTauri in 2020. A year later Daniel Ricciardo leads McLaren’s first one-two since 2010, and the Parabolica is renamed Curva Alboreto.
- 2024 A €21 million rebuild resurfaces the whole track, rebuilds the curbs and replaces the Parabolica’s outer gravel with asphalt. In November Formula 1 extends its contract through 2031.
- 2025 Max Verstappen wins the fastest race in Formula 1 history, at an average of 250.706 km/h (155.78 mph).
- 2026 Kimi Antonelli wins the Italian Grand Prix for Mercedes from 19th on the grid, the first Italian to win it since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966. In July the ACI’s concession to run the track is extended to 2044.
The Old Monza Banking
Walk out from the Grand Prix track into the park and you’ll find something that looks like a ruin from another era: two huge concrete curves banked so steeply you can barely stand on the top edge. That’s the sopraelevata, the high-speed oval opened in 1955. The original 1922 track had its own banked curves too, but they were torn down in 1938.
4.25 km
The oval
The 1955 high-speed ring is 4,250 m (2.64 mi) long, built in reinforced concrete.
80%
Steepest gradient
The top band of the banked curves reaches a gradient of up to 80%, with a 320 m (1,050 ft) radius.
283 km/h
Oval lap record
Bob Veith lapped at 283.34 km/h (176.06 mph) in 1958, in 54.0 seconds, during the Race of Two Worlds.
The banking was used in the Italian Grand Prix in some years until 1961, and in 1957 and 1958 it hosted the Race of Two Worlds, when Indianapolis roadsters took on European teams. It was brutally rough on cars, and major races stopped using it by the end of the 1960s. Today it’s preserved, it has been restored in recent years, and the Grand Prix track still passes beneath it at the Serraglio, between Lesmo and Ascari.
Monza Track Guide: A Lap, Corner by Corner
Monza runs clockwise and is almost dead flat, so speed is everything. A lap is basically four long straights broken up by three chicanes and a handful of fast corners, which makes braking stability and straight-line speed more important here than almost anywhere else. Here’s how a lap goes, with the corner names you’ll hear on TV.
ST
Main straight
The lap starts on a long, flat-out run past the pits and the main grandstand. Cars run the least downforce of the whole season here, so they’re a little nervous under braking.
T1–2
Prima Variante
A tight right-left chicane at the end of the straight and the biggest braking zone on the lap. It’s the main overtaking spot, and on the opening lap it’s chaos, so the curbs and run-off see plenty of action.
T3
Curva Biassono
Also known as Curva Grande, a long, flat-out right that bends gently through the trees. Its exit sets you up for the next braking zone.
T4–5
Variante della Roggia
A left-right chicane and the second-best place to pass. Brake late, use the curb on the left and get the power down early for the run to Lesmo.
T6
Lesmo 1
A quick right where you need confidence on entry and a tidy line on exit.
T7
Lesmo 2
A tighter right that feeds onto the Serraglio straight. A bad exit here costs time all the way down to Ascari.
SE
Serraglio
A straight that runs under the old banking. It isn’t a numbered turn, but it’s a key part of the lap.
T8–10
Variante Ascari
A fast left-right-left sweep, and the most satisfying part of the lap when you get it right. Carry speed through the first part and stay flowing onto the back straight.
T11
Curva Alboreto
The old Parabolica: a long, tightening right that opens onto the main straight. Brake hard, turn in and feed in the throttle as it opens; your exit decides your speed past the pits.
Monza Lap Records
Official lap records only count if they’re set in a race, which is why Monza has two numbers people quote: the race lap record and the fastest qualifying lap ever. Both belong to the 2025 Italian Grand Prix weekend. Formula 1’s 2026 rules, which make cars harvest more energy on the straights, brought top speeds down, so these records may stand for a while.
1:20.901
Race lap record
Lando Norris set it in a McLaren MCL39 on the final lap of the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, at 257.781 km/h (160.18 mph).
1:18.792
Fastest lap ever
Max Verstappen’s Red Bull pole lap in 2025 qualifying, at 264.682 km/h (164.47 mph), the highest average speed of any lap in Formula 1 history.
1:21.046
The old race record
Rubens Barrichello’s 2004 lap in a Ferrari F2004 stood for 21 years before Norris beat it.
1:35.358
Hypercar benchmark
Kamui Kobayashi’s pole for the 2023 6 Hours of Monza in a Toyota GR010 Hybrid, a reference point for endurance prototypes.
Races and Events at Monza
Monza is busy from spring to late fall, with the Italian Grand Prix in September as its centerpiece. If you’re new to the series, our Formula 1 guide explains the basics, and our 24 Hours of Le Mans guide covers the cars you’ll see in the WEC. Here’s what usually runs, with 2026 results and dates for reference.
September
Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix
Formula 1 Grand Prix
The big one, and a sea of Ferrari red in the grandstands. In 2026, on September 6, Kimi Antonelli won for Mercedes from 19th on the grid. The 2027 race runs September 3–5 as a Sprint weekend.
November 2026
6 Hours of Monza
World Endurance Championship Hypercar LMGT3
The WEC returns to Monza for the 2026 season finale on November 6–8, added in July to replace the cancelled rounds in Qatar and Bahrain. It isn’t on the 2027 calendar, when Imola hosts the Italian round.
Late spring
GT World Challenge Europe
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup
A three-hour GT3 race that usually draws a huge grid. The Tresor Attempto Audi of Levi, Øgaard and Mazzola won the 2026 race on May 31. The 2027 date hasn’t been announced.
October 2026
Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Final
Lamborghini One-make racing
Lamborghini’s one-make series from around the world meets at Monza for its World Final on October 22–25, 2026. Entry is free, with a free ticket needed for the paddock.
Summer and fall
Monza Revival and ACI Racing Weekends
Historic racing Italian championships
The Monza Revival (July 25–26 in 2026) celebrates the track’s history, while the ACI Racing Weekends, International GT Open and Eurocup-3 fill the summer and fall with Italian and European championship racing.
Monza Race Calendar: 2026 and 2027
Here are the main public weekends at Monza, so you can plan a trip around the racing you want to see. Track days, club racing and smaller championships fill many other weekends. Dates marked TBA haven’t been announced yet; we’ll add them as they’re confirmed, and it’s always worth checking the official calendar before you book.
2026 season
| Dates | Event | Series | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 29–31 | Monza 3 Hours | GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup | Done |
| Jun 19–21 | ACI Racing Weekend 1 | Italian championships | Done |
| Jun 26–28 | MIMO Milano Monza Motor Show | Car show | Done |
| Jul 25–26 | Monza Revival | Historic racing | Done |
| Jul 31–Aug 2 | Eurocup-3 | Single-seaters | Done |
| Sep 4–6 | Italian Grand Prix | Formula 1 | Done |
| Sep 25–27 | International GT Open | GT Open, Euroformula, TCR Europe | Done |
| Oct 9–11 | ACI Racing Weekend 2 | Italian GT Sprint and others | Done |
| Oct 22–25 | Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Final | Lamborghini one-make racing | Upcoming |
| Nov 6–8 | 6 Hours of Monza | World Endurance Championship finale | Upcoming |
| Nov 14–15 | Special Rally Circuit | Rally | Upcoming |
2027 season
| Dates | Event | Series | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (TBA) | Monza 3 Hours | GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup | Date TBA |
| Summer (TBA) | Monza Revival | Historic racing | Date TBA |
| Sep 3–5 | Italian Grand Prix (Sprint weekend) | Formula 1 | Upcoming |
Monza Weather by Season
Monza shares Milan’s climate: hot, humid summers, mild springs and falls, and cool, foggy winters. The numbers below are 1991–2020 averages for Milan Linate, a short drive from the circuit, and the main thing to know is that early September is usually warm and dry for the Grand Prix, while November can be wet and chilly.
16–24°C
Spring · Mar–May
Daily highs of 16–24°C (60–75°F) and lows of 4–13°C (40–55°F). Rain picks up toward May, at about 70 mm (2.8 in) for the month, so bring a jacket for early-season GT races.
28–31°C
Summer · Jun–Aug
Daily highs of 28–31°C (83–87°F) and lows of 17–19°C (63–67°F). It gets hot and humid in the Po Valley, with thunderstorms; August averages about 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain.
12–26°C
Fall · Sep–Nov
Highs fall from about 26°C (78°F) in September, Grand Prix month, to 12°C (54°F) in November, with lows from 15°C (59°F) to 5°C (42°F). November is the wettest month of the year at about 112 mm (4.4 in), so pack rain gear for the WEC finale.
7–10°C
Winter · Dec–Feb
Daily highs of 7–10°C (45–50°F) and lows around 0°C (31–33°F), with fog common in the Po Valley. There’s no major racing, but the circuit stays open for tours and some track days.
Visiting Monza: Getting There, Grandstands and Tours
Monza is easy to reach from Milan, and the park setting makes it a lovely place to spend a day, but on Grand Prix weekend you’re sharing it with well over 100,000 people a day. A bit of planning goes a long way.
Where to watch
- Main straight. Grandstand 1 faces the pits, and it and the 26 stands are the only covered seats at the track, which matters if it rains.
- Prima Variante. Stands 7 and 8 look into the first chicane, where most of the passing and the opening-lap drama happen.
- Variante della Roggia. Stands 9 and 10 are usually among the cheapest seats, with a good view of braking and passing into the second chicane.
- Variante Ascari. Stands 12–18 show off the fastest, most flowing part of the lap.
- Curva Alboreto. Stands 21–25 around the old Parabolica are where many of the most passionate Ferrari fans sit.
Getting there
By train, take a regional line from Milan to Monza station, about 6.6 km (4 mi) from the circuit, then a local bus: line 204 to Gate A (Porta Vedano) or 221 to Gate B. Another option is Milan Metro line M1 to Sesto 1° Maggio FS and then bus Z221. Milan Linate is the closest airport, about 25 km (16 mi) away, with Bergamo about 40 km and Malpensa about 50 km. Driving on race weekends is slow; outside them it’s straightforward from the A4.
Tours and the rest of the year
The circuit is open all year, and the paddock is open to the public at most events. On non-race days you can book an official tour: the Tour Experience (podium, race control and history) costs €25, a lap of the track by minivan or bus costs €20, and a combined ticket is €30, with kids under 6 free. Tours start at the Monza Circuit Shop. In early fall, bring sunglasses and a light jacket; in November, when the WEC visits, bring rain gear.
Can You Drive Monza?
Yes, and more easily than at many Grand Prix tracks. Monza runs its own track days, where you bring your own car and drive the full Grand Prix circuit. A session lasts 225 minutes and costs €390 (or €690 for two), plus €10 to bring the car in. You don’t need a racing license, but a helmet is mandatory (you can rent one for €15), you pay on the day, and up to 50 cars are allowed on track at once. Morning and afternoon sessions run on the scheduled days, so check the official track-day calendar first.
Just remember Monza is hard on brakes. You’ll be braking from the highest speeds you’ve ever reached on a track, three times a lap, so fresh pads and fluid are a must.
If you’d rather start on a screen, Monza is in Gran Turismo 7 in two layouts (the full course and a version without chicanes), and iRacing has the Grand Prix circuit, the shorter Junior layout and even the old 4.25 km banked oval. It’s also part of the official Formula 1 games, since it’s on the real calendar.
Talk Monza With Other Enthusiasts
Heading to the Italian Grand Prix, booking a track day or chasing a lap time in Gran Turismo? Share what you’ve learned, ask questions and find people going the same weekend in the AutoGathering community.
- Italian Grand Prix trip planning
- Best grandstands
- Getting there from Milan
- Track-day experiences
- Visiting the old banking
- WEC finale weekend
- Sim racing lap times
- Lake Como and Milan side trips
Monza FAQ
Why is Monza called the Temple of Speed?
Because it’s the fastest track on the Formula 1 calendar by average speed. Cars spend about 80% of the lap at full throttle, and in 2025 Max Verstappen set the fastest lap in F1 history there at an average of 264.682 km/h (164.47 mph).
How long is the Monza circuit?
The Grand Prix circuit is 5.793 km (3.600 miles) long with 11 turns. It has had this layout since the first chicane was redesigned in 2000.
What is the lap record at Monza?
The race lap record is 1:20.901, set by Lando Norris for McLaren in the 2025 Italian Grand Prix. The fastest lap ever is Max Verstappen’s 1:18.792 from qualifying the same weekend.
Who won the 2026 Italian Grand Prix?
Kimi Antonelli won for Mercedes on September 6, 2026, after starting 19th. He was the first Italian to win the Italian Grand Prix since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966.
When is the 2027 Italian Grand Prix?
The 2027 Italian Grand Prix is scheduled for September 3–5, 2027, and it will be a Sprint weekend. Formula 1’s contract with Monza runs through 2031.
Can you still see the Monza banking?
Yes. The concrete banked curves from the 1955 high-speed oval still stand in the park next to the Grand Prix track, and the circuit passes underneath them at the Serraglio.
How do you get to Monza from Milan?
Take a train from Milan to Monza station, then bus 204 or 221 to the circuit gates. You can also take Metro line M1 to Sesto 1° Maggio FS and bus Z221. Linate is the nearest airport, about 25 km away.
Can you drive your own car at Monza?
Yes. Monza runs official track days for road cars: a 225-minute session costs €390, no license is needed, and helmets are mandatory. Check the track-day calendar for dates.
Explore More Racing Circuits
Monza is one of the tracks in our European racing circuit directory. If you’re planning an Italian racing trip, Imola is about 265 km (165 miles) away, roughly two and a half hours by car.
Photo credits
- Header image: United Autosports, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped and resized.
- A Rowe Racing BMW M4 GT3 Evo…: Fr16reda, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- A Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo racing at…: Andrea Volpato, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped and resized.
- The bridge over the track at the…: Agence Rol. Agence photographique (commanditaire), Public domain, cropped and resized.
- An old photo of motorcycle racers on…: Matteo Colombo, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- The start of the 2021 6 Hours…: United Autosports, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped and resized.
- Map of the Monza Grand Prix circuit…: Will Pittenger, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
- Valtteri Bottas in the Alfa Romeo C43…: Eustace Bagge, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.