The iconic Italian circuit of Monza, one of the most legendary venues in motorsport and the traditional home of the Italian Grand Prix in the Formula 1 World Championship, will remain part of the calendar until 2031. This was confirmed by F1 organizers this Wednesday.

Monza: A History of Speed

Known as the "Temple of Speed," Monza has been a cornerstone of the championship since Formula 1’s inception in 1950, with the exception of 1980, when the Italian Grand Prix was held at Imola. The contract, originally set to run until 2025, has now been extended by six more years, solidifying Monza’s place in motorsport history.

Located northeast of Milan in the heart of the Royal Park, this Lombardy circuit was built in 1922. The current track spans 5.8 kilometers and is renowned for allowing drivers to keep the pedal to the metal for 80% of the lap. In 2020, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton set the fastest lap in F1 history by average speed, securing pole position with a time of 1:18.887 and an average speed of 264.362 km/h.

Stars Who Shone at Monza

The most recent winner at Monza is Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), who claimed victory this year, further establishing himself as one of the sport’s brightest talents. However, Lewis Hamilton holds the record for the most wins at Monza with five, tied with the legendary Michael Schumacher.

Other active drivers who have triumphed on this iconic track include:

• Fernando Alonso, the two-time world champion from Spain, with wins in 2007 (McLaren) and 2010 (Ferrari).
• Pierre Gasly, who earned his sole F1 victory in 2020 with Alpha Tauri.
• Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion from the Netherlands, with two wins at Monza.

A Legacy of Champions

Throughout its storied history, Monza has witnessed the triumphs of F1 greats like Sebastian Vettel, Juan Manuel Fangio, Alberto Ascari, Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, and Ayrton Senna, all of whom have left their mark on this legendary circuit.

With this renewed commitment, Monza cements its role as a key piece of Formula 1, continuing to captivate fans and maintain its prestigious status in the sport.