Italian Grand Prix
The Italian Grand Prix stirs the passion of the crowd like no other. The Monza circuit seems to attract as many spectators for Ferrari testing as it does for the Formula One race and atmosphere is electric.
With the hugely partisan crowd roaring on the Ferrari drivers the other teams find the event a tough task at the track that has been nicknamed “La Pista Magica”, the magic track, by the enthusiastic racing fans.
Watch Italian Grand Prix Live
Formula 1 visits Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza for round 13 of the 2011 Live F1 season.
2011 Season
Despite a slow start to the season by the Ferrari team they are always expected to put in a strong performance at Monza. Fernando Alonso will be pushing for a big performance but Sebastian Vettel won his first Grand Prix at Monza and will be expected to put in a huge effort.
The crowd is sure to be large and the Ferrari team will be all guns blazing to grab a podium finish but McLaren are also expected to enjoy the track conditions with their current car set-up.
Overview
The Monza circuit is considered as the spiritual home of the Ferrari racing team and combines a need for technical excellence together with brute speed in order claim victory.
The circuit has a length of 5.793 km and the race takes place over 53 laps to create a total distance covered by the cars of 306.720 km. The 11 corners create a smooth and difficult course and the lap record is held by Rubens Barrichello with a time of 1:21:046, which he set in 2004.
History
The Italian Grand Prix began in 1921 and was included as one of the inaugural Formula One races in 1950. The Formula One race has been held in Italy every year since, sharing this prestigious record with the British Grand Prix.
The original circuit was built at Monza in 1922 and was the third permanent racetrack to be built, after Brooklands and Indianapolis. The track length was a massive 10 km but over the years there have been a number of developments that have reduced that down to its current distance.
Key Moments
2008
Sebastien Vettel puts in a solid performance to claim victory and become the youngest ever driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix at 21 years and 74 days old.
2006
Michael Schumacher wins and announces his retirement from Formula One.
1998
Gerhard Berger and Michele Alboreto score a sensational 1-2 victory for Ferrari in the only race of the season that McLaren do not win.
1976
Nikki Lauda takes to the track with blood seeping from his bandages following the accident that almost killed him six weeks earlier.
1971
The first five drivers pass the chequered flag within 0.61 seconds of each other, with Peter Gethin claiming victory.
