Italian Grand Prix
The Italian Grand Prix, or Gran Premio d’Italia, is the longest running grand
prix in Formula 1 Championship racing, and its regular circuit, Autodromo
Nazionale Monza, or Monza for short, is the most enduring track in grand prix
history. The very first Italian Grand Prix, decades before the establishment of
the Formula 1 series, was held in the city of Brescia in Northern Italy, in
1921, but the circuit at Monza was built the very next year and saw more motor
sport than any other circuit in the world in its lifetime.
There is a lot of history connected with the Italian Grand Prix, such as the
participation of Count Louis Zborowski in 1923. Zborowski is most famous for
creating the Chitty Bang Bang cars, which were used engines of WWI aeroplanes
and inspired the books and films, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, but showed up at the
1923 Italian Grand Prix driving Harry Miller’s American Miller 122. The next
year, also at the Italian GP, Zborowski died during the race, colliding with a
tree.
Zborowski wouldn’t be the only fatality of the Italian GP through the years,
which would result in modifications in the circuit and the track’s reputation as
one of the most challenging, demanding and validating course in the F1. Drivers
find they are on full throttle for most of the lap, more so than on other
circuits, and even spectators seated wherever their Italian Grand Prix tickets
will allow them can tell that it’s the fastest circuit in the championship,
without having to be told that the track’s total length is 5.79 km.
The list of winners at the Italian Grand Prix is surely a long one, as this GP
is the one of the few GPs to make the distinction of regularity, held every year
at least from its inception in the Formula One championship series in 1950. The
only other GP with this distinction is the British Grand Prix. Over 82 Italian
drivers have participated in their home race, and, at least in the early years,
many became legendary with multiple wins, including two-time winner Luigi
Fagioli, and three-time winners Tazio Nuvolari and world champion Alberto Ascari.
Ironically, Ascari would also be killed in Monza in 1955 but in a private
testing exercise, not during the grand prix itself.
Alain Prost, Stirling Moss and Nelson Piquet would also do well at the
Italian Grand Prix, as did Michael Schumacher, who won at Monza five times in
ten years. It was at the 2006 Italian Grand Prix, after his win, that Schumacher
announced his retirement from auto racing at the conclusion of the 2006
championship. The 2007 winner was Fernando Alonso.
Monza is a bit north of Milan, so most Italian GP participants stay there during
the events. There are a few hotels in Monza that are just as posh, and where the
Ferrari team usually opts to stay. Smaller hotels can be found in the
surrounding towns for those on a budget. There is also the option to camp around
the circuit, particularly just outside the second chicane, although be prepared
to not get much sleep as these camping expeditions become a lively outdoor party
for the fans.
Fans and teams fly into Milan’s two airports, although it is the Malpensa
airport that handles more international flights; it is also Malpensa’s train
that offers the quickest and most hassle-free trip to Milan. To get to Monza
directly, take the train to Monza station, where several shuttle buses are
reserved specifically for the circuit.
Many would not recommend the grandstands at the Lesmos curve and the second
chicane, despite good deals on tickets. If you want prime seats, opt for Italian
Grand Prix tickets around Curva Parabolica, Variante Ascari and the first
chicane. As with other Formula GP tickets, prices are divided into three
categories. Adventurous fans usually opt for general admission tickets, claiming
that there is always a great view to be found at Monza every year.
|
