Monza

Web Site: http://www.monzanet.it

Monza is the spiritual home of Grand Prix racing in Italy and has been on the calendar every year but one (1980) since the championship began. Whilst not being the most exciting track - recent years have been somewhat processional - it is steeped in history and has a wonderful atmosphere. For the travelling Grand Prix fan this is a must-see European Grand Prix, alongside Spa and Imola.

The original track included banking (still visible at the Parabolica), but a number of fatalities caused a move away from the original banked oval to a new circuit without banking. In subsequent years three chicanes were introduced to further increase safety through reduced speed. In 2000 the first double chicane shortly after the start was replaced by a single chicane in the interest of safety and a reduction in first lap incidents.

Alexander Wurz describes a lap of the circuit:

Powering along the wide start-finish straight at Monza, you reach the top speed on the track of some 215mph in seventh gear, you brake dramatically with your speed dropping to 60mph in second gear to negotiate the right-left flick of the Retifillio Chicane. As the tightly packed field enters the Retifillio on the first lap, the narrowing track has a funnel effect, and is often the scene of incidents. Exiting the chicane leads to the long right-hander of the Curva Grande. Entering at some 155mph in fourth gear, you accelerate through the corner and reach a speed of 183mph in sixth gear on the exit.

Full on the throttle along the short straight that leads to the Variente della Roggia chicane, you reach 203mph in seventh gear before braking hard, pulling 4G, for the left-right chicane which is negotiated at 69mph in second gear. Another short straight leads you to the fast double right-hander of the Curva di Lesmos. The first section is taken at 104mph in third gear, a quick burst of acceleration up through fourth gear, sees you reach 155mph before again slowing for the second part of Lemos, which is negotiated at 95mph still in fourth.

Pushing hard on the throttle as you exit the corner, your speed approaches 210mph in seventh gear as you power along the long Curva del Serraglio straight, towards the left hand Curva del Vialone, which sees your speed drop to 95mph in third gear. This is immediately followed by the right-left Ascari chicane. You enter the fourth gear chicane at 110mph, with your speed increasing through the chicane to 135mph as you exit.

Accelerating along the Retifillio Centro straight, you reach 210mph in seventh gear on the approach to the long sweeping right-hander of Parabolica. Your speed drops to 110mph in fourth gear as you negotiate the tight entrance to Parabolica. As the curve opens out, your speed increases, powering up through the gears as you swing back onto the long pit straight and start another lap.