Italian GP

• Track insights

  An incredible 80% of the lap is spent at full throttle, which should give you an indication of just how fast this circuit is. It isn’t as simple as the fastest car wins, though - far from it. There are plenty of qualities that go into winning at Monza – an accolade we enjoyed as recently as 2021.

  Braking, for example, is key at the Italian Grand Prix given the high speeds generated down the track’s long straights. Cars approach the first corner at around 220mph, needing to slow down to around 53mph for the chicane, meaning there is plenty of time to be gained by braking late.

  Low downforce is undoubtedly the way to go in Monza, although those with more power available to them can get away with running a little more downforce, which would provide them with an advantage at corners such as Parabolica and Lesmos.

  As you can expect, the circuit comes with several overtaking opportunities, with cars able to battle from Parabolica through to Vari-ante del Rettifilo, where a move is possible under braking. From here, cars can continue to stay close thanks to the effect of the slipstream, ahead of another similarly heavy braking zone at the Variante della Roggia.

• What's it like in Italy?

  The location of the Autodromo Internazionale di Monza is one of Formula 1’s most unique and idyllic. Set in the heart of the Parco di Monza, Europe’s largest walled park, the track weaves through enchanting woodlands and greenery.

  It’s also less than 19km north of Milan, the country’s wealthiest and most stylish city, full of high-end shops, culinary excellence and stunning architecture, including the Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral. It’s easy to get to Milan from Monza by train or car and you can see plenty in a day, so it’s well worth the extra effort.

  As for the food, that speaks for itself: pizza, pasta, cured meats and gelato are among the many, many highlights you’ll be wanting to try on your trip to Italy.

• Stat pack

  • Apart from in 1980, when the race was held in Imola, Monza has hosted the Italian Grand Prix every year since the Formula 1 World Championship began in 1950
  • McLaren have won the Italian Grand Prix 11 times
  • Denny Hulme (1968), Niki Lauda (1984), Alain Prost (1985, 1989), Ayrton Senna (1990, 1992), David Coulthard (1997), Juan Pablo Montoya (2005), Fernando Alonso (2007), Lewis Hamilton (2012) and Daniel Ricciardo (2021) have all won in Monza for McLaren
  • Our most recent F1 victory came at Monza when Daniel Ricciardo and Lando led a McLaren one-two in the 2021 Italian Grand Prix
  • Carlos Sainz only just missed out on a win in the 2020 Italian Grand Prix, finishing just 0.415s off first place
  • The 2003 Italian Grand Prix was the shortest F1 race to reach full distance, lasting only 74 minutes