Monza F1 Track Through the Years: 1922-2024 🚗

Circuit of Monza: Evolution from 1922 to Today

1922–1930s: The Birth of Speed
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza opened in 1922 as a pioneering motorsport venue. Its original 10 km layout combined a 4.5 km steeply banked oval (with 80-degree banking) and a 5.5 km road course, creating a high-speed, grueling circuit. Dubbed the "Pista di Alta Velocità," it emphasized sheer speed, but safety concerns arose after fatal accidents in the 1920s–1930s.

1940s–1950s: Post-War Adjustments
Post-WWII, the banking fell into disuse due to disrepair. The 1950s saw Monza host Formula 1's inaugural season (1950), using a 6.3 km road-only layout. In 1955, the full 10 km combined circuit (oval + road) was briefly revived, but the 1955 Le Mans disaster prompted a return to the shorter road course. The 1961 tragedy (Wolfgang von Trips' fatal crash) further spurred safety debates.

1970s: Chicanes and Safety Revolution
The 1970s marked major changes. To curb lethal speeds, two chicanes were added in 1972: Variante del Rettifilo (first chicane) and Variante della Roggia (second chicane). The track shortened to 5.793 km, retaining iconic sections like the Curva Grande, Lesmo corners, and Parabolica. A third chicane, Variante Ascari, was introduced later, solidifying the modern layout’s foundation.

1980s–2000s: Refinements and Modernization
Safety upgrades continued: runoff areas expanded, barriers improved, and corners reprofiled (e.g., Lesmo bends eased in the 1990s). The chicanes were periodically tightened to reduce speeds, while preserving Monza’s identity as the "Temple of Speed." The oval’s remnants, though unused, became a historic landmark.

Today: Legacy and Adaptation
Monza’s current 5.793 km layout balances heritage with modernity. The three chicanes temper speeds, but long straights and the sweeping Parabolica (final corner) still challenge drivers. Ongoing updates ensure F1 safety standards while honoring the track’s century-old DNA. Monza remains a symbol of racing history, hosting the Italian Grand Prix annually since 1950, its essence rooted in velocity and tradition.

F1 Historic Tracks Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRSPh4XNWTEEMFefJJzYqlpkap1KMmlEU


Mods used in the video:

Monza Pre-War circuit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yMIdO4t9fbcJRu1_Inh_IaslYrI_8-3p/view

Monza 1966 Already in the game

Monza 1988: https://assettocorsa.club/mods/tracks/grand-prix-1988.html


Monza 2021 skin : https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/monza-2021-f1-track-skin.45196



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