Formula One took a month-long hiatus during the European summer. The world’s fastest sport returned to action with a triple-header. Two rounds have already been complete with the Italian F1 Grand Prix taking place this coming weekend. With that in mind, we bring you five facts about Monza that you may not already know.

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Five Facts About Monza

    1. 2022 represents the 100th anniversary of this historic racing circuit. Monza was the first purpose-built racetrack in mainland Europe and the third in the world after Brooklands and Indianapolis. It is also one of four current Formula 1 circuits which formed part of the very first Formula 1 World Championship in 1950.
    2. The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza is made up of long-straights and chicanes. As a result drivers spend 80 per cent of the lap at full throttle.
    3. The Italian Grand Prix is usually the shortest of the season thanks to the extremely high average speed. In 2003 Michael Schumacher finished the race in just over 74 minutes. That makes it the shortest full-distance F1 race of all time. Speaking of the Ferrari-driving hero…
    4. Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton both have five wins apiece at the Italian F1 Grand Prix. Ferrari has won the race a record 19 times.
    5. Monza was the scene of the closest finish to a Formula 1 in 1971. Peter Gethin crossed the finish line just 0,01 seconds ahead of Ronnie Peterson. It was his first and only win in F1. The top five finishers were covered by just over six tenths of a second. You can see highlights of the race and the incredible finish in the video below.

Monza Quick Facts

Official name: Autodromo Nazionale di Monza
Location: Milano, Italy
Lap distance: 5,793 km
Lap record: 1 min 21,046 sec (Rubens Barichello, Ferrari)

Interested in learning more about Formula 1 and motorsport? Feel free to browse some of the other exclusive Formula One articles and reviews on Double Apex.