•Circuit type Race
•Circuit Length 5.793kms
•Circuit Turns 11
•Circuit Direction Clockwise
•Capacity 115,000
•Established 1922
Circuit Info
Few names are as evocative as Monza, built in 1922 and for many years one of the fastest circuits. It was the first purpose-built venue to stage a grand prix and the first to charge for entry. It was also two tracks. One, a US-style oval with two straights and two heavily-banked corners (demolished in 1938) the other a facsimile of a road circuit. But while hugely popular, it was also highly dangerous. In 1928 a driver and 27 spectators were killed, and despite safety modifications, five years later three top drivers died in one race.
A new banked circuit was built in 1955 but this only staged two grands prix before being ditched because of concerns over the stresses it imposed on cars. But even the road course was unsafe, and in 1961 Wolfgang von Trips died along with 14 spectators when he crashed. Subsequent additions of chicanes reduced speeds.
Despite numerous modifications over the years to improve safety for both drivers and spectators, the circuit faces criticism for its lack of run-off especially at the Variante della Roggia corner. Despite the ongoing safety debate the circuit is still a firm favourite with fans who can always expect an action-packed high-speed race. Legendary Ferrari fans, known as the Tifosi, turn the stands to a sea of red on race day, as they cheer on their team at their local circuit.
One of the old-school of grand prix circuits Monza has a very special atmosphere; the Italians often refer to it as "La Pista Magica" or the magic track.
Monza's iconic Parabolica has lost its gravel trap in favour of a tarmac run-off area which is being installed ahead of the 2014 Italian Grand Prix.
Parabolica, the final turn at the Monza circuit, has traditionally had a gravel trap after a section of grass to penalise drivers for running wide on one of F1's most challenging corners. But it appears the corner has been altered ahead of this year's race, with pictures emerging on Thursday of gravel being put down at Parabolica.
The change may be in anticipation of the possible return of World Superbikes to Monza in 2015, with safety officers from the series recently meeting track officials and raising concerns about the lack of run-off areas. The Italian Grand Prix takes place on September 7, with doubts still surrounding F1's future at Monza following Bernie Ecclestone's threats to drop the venue from the calendar after 2016.
Read more at http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/stor ... wlYjbuA.99