Formula One News

Location: Monza Race Date: 11th September 2011 Circuit Length: 5.793 km Number of Laps: 53 Race Distance: 306.720 km 2011 Pole Sitter:  S.Vettel 2011 Race Winner:  S.Vettel Grands Prix Held: 60 Circuit Website: Monza Circuit Website Circuit Diagram Produced By: Adrian Dean

Brief History

Built in 1922, the Monza circuit was the third permanent race track to be built after Brooklands and Indianapolis. Located just outside Milan in northern Italy, it is a flat circuit, and due to its long straights, drivers are on full throttle for a higher-than-average percentage of the lap. So is regarded by many as a track which tests horsepower rather than driver skill.

The Italian Grand Prix has been part of the F1 calendar from the start, and has been held there every year since.

During the second world war the combustion engine had been impressively developed, which meant post war grands prix were now not only about the competition between drivers, but also used as a showcase by nations taking part to show their technical know-how to the rest of the world.

The track has seen some fantastic races, but also some of the worst accidents in Formula One.

In 2006 after winning the Italian Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher announced his retirement from Formula One at the end of that season.