Formula 1 Circuit, Monza, Italy

...speeds quoted are based on Formula 1 cars with a V10 engines!

At the start drivers are presented with a long straight stretch where F1 cars will be doing speeds of up to 215mph and driving flat out only to brake heavily down to about 55mph on approach to the tough 1st chicane, this is one point one can see a lot of cars spin out. On approach to the 2nd Chicane Curva Grande cars are seen accelerating with speeds of up to 190mph on ...
...‘Curva Parabolica’. As mentioned, the Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place in September, though there are plenty of other races throughout the year taking place when I visited in March. I had actually joined to watch the 3rd Formula Challenge Monza Show; this appeared to be a mixture of F3000 and touring cars, mainly Lancia Integrale, Renault 5 turbo and a Ferrari GT.

Watching the series of cars braking hard and downshifting ... more

In March this year, I was lucky enough to plan a short trip to Milan, with the hope of visiting Monza, home to the Italy’s Ferrari and land of the Tifosi. This is every Ferrari fan’s dream and is a definite must for any racing fan. The Monza circuit is one of the oldest racing circuits along with Silverstone and provides some exhilarating action with the highest speeds possible along the straights and heavy braking on tricky chicanes. The circuit has a rich history and some of the best racing drivers the world has ever known have raced here. This is one day I will never forget…

Before I highlight the beauty of this racing circuit, I will mention where it is and how to get there, or how I got there - which was a rather long route...and the feelings and sounds on approach to this great circuit. This may give you an idea of the rural charm, beauty, and passion that surrounds this historical circuit of Monza.

Monza is situated about 10Km North of Milan in Italy’s Lombardy District. There are many ways to get to Italy, by road, train, or flight. I chose to fly with budget airline Buzz (see opinion - if further details required). If you are flying, the nearest city to fly to is Milan. Milan has two airports, Malpensa and Linate. Linate is the city airport and this is the nearest airport to city of Milan and Monza. I decided to stay in Milan, which has an abundance of Hotels to suit any pocket. My Hotel was near the Stazione Centrale (railway station), so I was within easy travelling distance to many locations. I made a short train journey (about 20 minutes) to Monza on a Sunday afternoon. The ticket costs 2,700 IL which is about 90p for a single trip, (approx 3000IL = £1).

My first impression when I got down at Monza train station was how small, quaint, and quiet it was. Only the odd car drove past and few local residents could be seen going for a leisurely Sunday afternoon stroll. I guess being a Sunday (and not the time of F1 Grand Prix, which is held in September) it was perhaps more quieter than usual. It was different to the typical Sunday’s in parts of UK where there is often a flurry of activity as people head to large out of town DIY Stores, McDonalds or any other large shopping outlets or perhaps an outing for the traditional Sunday pub lunch. Monza was quiet, unrushed, and rural.

I initially thought the Monza race circuit would be within walking distance from Monza train station. However, after speaking to a few locals they pointed out that it is too far to walk and directed us to the nearest bus stop. Luckily, we met a very smart Army cadet who could speak some English and was heading the same direction as the Monza circuit. He guided us onto the right bus, and told us where to get off. One point to mention about travelling in buses in Italy on a Sunday is you must purchase your bus tickets in advance – we didn’t know that and boarded the bus without a ticket!

Monza Park ~

The Monza racing Circuit (Autodromo di Monza) is situated in the centre of a royal Park; which is known to be one of the largest parks in Europe. It covers an area of 7300sq. metres and contains polo fields, tennis courts and even an 18-hole golf course and masses of woodland. The first building that hits you straight away upon approach to the park is a very impressive Palace like building known as Villa Reale, which had housed royal families, but in recent times, it is used for exhibitions and art collections. Trekking through the courtyards and private residents back yards I found myself finally in Monza Park. I think you gathered I missed the main entrance to this Park and obviously got off the bus too early.

A word of warning Monza Park is massive; it took me almost 2 hours of walking through woodland and open grass stretches to near The Autodromo Monza circuit. Fortunately the circuit is signposted on maps throughout the Park, as I neared the roar of the high revving engines got more and more intense. I could see parts of the track in front of me as the sounds got louder and louder, my heart beating faster with every step. At the perimeter fence separating the park from the circuit there appeared to be a hole in the fence where I noticed loads of people going through, this was it..my entrance to the Monza circuit through The Hole - hence the title of this opinion! I had made it to Monza with/out a ticket, well when in Italy do as the Tifosi do!

Autodromo di Monza (Monza racing Circuit) ~

Standing inside this incredible racing circuit, it is only natural to reflect back on some historic races and current technical features of the track. Monza is one of the most famous racing circuits in the world. Great drivers such as Fangio, Ascari, Moss, Senna, Schumacher have all raced here. It is home to the Italian Grand Prix and has been hosting Grand Prix’s since 1950; it is also Ferrari country, home of the prancing horse!

The original track was built in 1922, which provided a high-speed track with a dangerous banked oval section. The oval banked part was removed in the 1960’s after some serious accidents. Since then many modifications have been made to the track to take into account current F1 regulations, re-designing chicanes in a bid to slow speeds down and improve safety. Though with modern technology of today and technical developments the cars are just getting faster and faster.

Monza is a high-speed circuit like Hokkenheim and involves heavy braking to anticipate the chicanes. It consists of 53 laps with a lap distance of 5.793km. Therefore, it is hard on the engine and brakes. I will point out the main chicanes and features of this circuit - the speeds quoted are based on Formula 1 cars with a V10 engines!

At the start drivers are presented with a long straight stretch where F1 cars will be doing speeds of up to 215mph and driving flat out only to brake heavily down to about 55mph on approach to the tough 1st chicane, this is one point one can see a lot of cars spin out. On approach to the 2nd Chicane Curva Grande cars are seen accelerating with speeds of up to 190mph on leaving the speed is 200mph. The 2nd chicane is where race marshal Paolo Ghislimberti lost his life after flying tyre and debris following a multiple car accident in the 2000 Grand Prix. The next major chicane is the Curva Di Lesmo the first part cars take at about 100mph downshifting to 3rd/4th gears and the second part of the corner is taken slower in 3rd gear. After the Lesmo is long straight downhill stretch reaching speeds of 205mph through partly dark track due to heavy forest on either side. The next chicane to approach is the famous Ascari chicane, where speeds drop to about 85mph on entering and accelerate back up to 100mph. The next major chicane is the Curva Parabolica, which is a very LONG right hand turn, almost like a ‘U’ turn and completes the circuit. This is where Ascari died in 1955 after an accident during testing.

Ok, so now I know the facts of the circuit where did I end up after sneaking in through the hole? I managed to find seating on the stadium on what I initially thought was the approach to the 'Curve Grande' bend, but it so happened I was at the infamous ‘Curva Parabolica’. As mentioned, the Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place in September, though there are plenty of other races throughout the year taking place when I visited in March. I had actually joined to watch the 3rd Formula Challenge Monza Show; this appeared to be a mixture of F3000 and touring cars, mainly Lancia Integrale, Renault 5 turbo and a Ferrari GT.

Watching the series of cars braking hard and downshifting on approach to this winding bend almost a U –shaped Curva Parabolica was fun. Although this was not a F1 race, so the speeds were slower, the sound and action was very enjoyable. Cones where placed on approach to the bend, which the cars had to manoeuvre around, some cars knocked over the cones..this just gave the marshal plenty of work to do till the cars came round again! Each time the cars came around, some knocked the cones over giving the marshal something to do, other times while waiting for the cars to come round again we had views of the marshal relieving himself, much to the applaud of the crowd!

Moving on, I crossed over the circuit to the other side near the pit straights where there were a few Pizza restaurants and bars. There was also a separate concourse area only for drivers and teams to assemble prior to the races. I managed to enter the area reserved for Press reporters, official photographers, and driver’s families; this gave me a view of the cars as they exit the pits. I think being late on a Sunday afternoon they were not too bothered with security as it was just a small race. I obtained access to the podium too!! This was my proudest and most memorable moment.. standing on the Podium at Monza where so many great drivers have won races. This was the very same Podium Michael Schumacher won from pole position last year 2000, and put Ferrari in the lead. I was hoping to go to Monza in 2001 but I am glad I didn’t go this September due to the recent tragedy in the World and more so in the world of Motorsport where poor Alex Zinardi had a very nasty accident in Berlin/ Cart racing losing both his legs. This happened a day before the Monza Grand Prix was to be held and most of the drivers were shocked as Alex is a well-respected driver and person, so the mood was very sombre in the 2001 Monza Grand Prix.

Ticket Prices ~

Now, although I didn’t have a ticket on entering the circuit, the race ticket price was L15, 000 for this small race, which is about £5. On leaving the ticket office was closed so I couldn’t buy one. Prices for Grand Prix tickets are considerably more expensive would definitely be more probably in the region of 300,000IL (£80) and I’m sure they seal all the gaps in the fences in time for the Grand Prix.
Current Grand Prix prices for 2001 are from 400,00 ITL for Ascari, and a 3-day ticket costs 600,000 ITL (about £198 using current exchange rates, which is a lot cheaper than other European 3-Day Grand Prix Prices). There are grandstands for Disabled Visitors also, please check with the website for details.
I don’t feel too guilty about not purchasing a ticket for this small race as I enjoyed the Tifosi style experience and was only in the circuit for an hour, after spending 2 hours in the park. I hope to return again one day to experience other types of racing at the circuit such as Formula One…

Overall, Monza is a stunning fast racing circuit enriched in history, style, and passion for Motorsport; it is a definite must for any racing fan. Even if you don’t enjoy Motorsport, so much you wont be disappointed as the circuit is situated in acres of forested park. The town of Monza is small and charming and if that doesn’t appeal them the Fashion capital of the World, Milan is only 20 minutes away.

Enjoy!

Further Details:-

Autodromo Nazionale Monza
Via Vedano 5,
Parco di Monza,
Monza - 20052
Italy
Tel. +39 039 24821
Fax. +39 039 320324
http://www.monzanet.it

~Motor sport is dangerous~All disclaimers apply

Connoisseur_haggler©ciao 2001
 

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