Italian Grand Prix: The highlights

Located in Lombardy, a stone’s throw away from Milan, the city of Monza is mainly known in the world of sport for hosting one of the most iconic Grand Prix in the history of Formula 1. It often ranks high among professionals and fans in the lists of the best circuits. And rightfully so: let’s look back at some of the most memorable facts about this track that has been hosting the Italian Grand Prix for a century.

The first victory of Sebastian Vettel.

In 2008, a 21-year-old German won the victory in Monza aboard his Toro Rosso, ahead of Heikki Kovalainen and Robert Kubica. The first of a long list: 53 Grand Prix wins, 122 podiums, and four world championships later, it can be said that the legend of Sebastian Vettel started that day. This Italian Grand Prix also marks the first pole position for the driver and his team, as well as the first victory for the team, which was barely two years old at the time.

And since it is the race of all achievements, Sebastian Vettel will snatch a few records on this occasion: those of the youngest driver to win a pole position, the youngest winner of a Grand Prix, and the youngest driver to step on a podium. These titles were previously held by Fernando Alonso.

On the occasion of his last race on Lombardian soil this weekend, the four-time world champion did not hide his emotion: “I will feel all the emotions when I arrive at Monza, the circuit where I won my very first victory in F1, for one last time.”

“I have always loved the unique sensation of the track and the challenge it represents, as well as the energy of the fans. This time, I will savor every moment of this intensity,” said the Aston Martin driver.

Many unexpected victories

Sebastian Vettel will not have been the only one to achieve his first victory in Monza. We certainly remember the touching triumph of Pierre Gasly in 2020, who thus became the thirteenth – and youngest – French driver to be crowned in the premier category of motor racing. He succeeds Olivier Panis, who had won in Monaco in… 1996.

In total, eight drivers have won their first victory in F1 at the Italian Grand Prix, including Jackie Stewart in 1965 for British Racing Motors (BRM) and Juan Pablo Montoya in 2001 driving his Williams.

In terms of surprises, we will also note the unexpected victory of Daniel Ricciardo in 2021. The Australian driver undoubtedly surprised many, as he struggled during his first season with McLaren. This victory will also remain one of his few standout performances of the season, followed closely by two fourth-place finishes at Spa and in Russia.

Niki Lauda crowned world champion in 1975.

Triple champion in his career, it was at Monza that Niki Lauda would win his first Formula 1 world championship in 1975, four years after his debut. The 26-year-old Austrian finished third in the race, behind his teammate Clay Regazzoni and Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi. But with enough points to secure the title.

On that day, Niki Lauda also gave Scuderia Ferrari its first world title after an 11-year drought. It was the following year that the driver would suffer from his horrific accident at the Nürburgring, but that didn’t stop the Italian team from winning the Constructors’ championship, as well as the following season.

The closest arrival of all time.

We end this list with another record: the closest finish in the history of Formula 1, recorded in Monza in 1971. The Englishman Peter Gethin (BRM) crossed the finish line 0.01 (!) second ahead of the Swedish driver Ronnie Peterson (March-Ford).

It is played out within a very close margin for the top five in the race, as only 0.61 seconds separate the winner from the fifth-place finisher. This is the last race in Monza without the two chicanes, a track that allowed for a strong drafting advantage. This guarantees an exciting Grand Prix, with a staggering 25 lead changes among eight drivers! Furthermore, this will be Gethin’s only victory in Formula 1.