There were times when we never missed a Formula 1 race on television. That has changed in the meantime, but the fascination for the fast cars has remained. Therefore, it was clear that if we are in the vicinity, we must visit the Monza Formula 1 Circuit.
Where is the Formula 1 circuit in Monza?
The Monza Eni Circuit/ Autodrom Nazionale di Monza is located in the Royal Park in Monza, about 20 minutes by train from Milan. The Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix has been held here since 1950
Beforehand, we looked up on the Internet where exactly the race track is located in Monza. What turned out to be a bit difficult was getting there by public transport. There is a bus, but it does not stop in the immediate vicinity and runs very rarely. By car or cab, you can get to the race track just fine.
So we walked from the train station in Monza to the Formula 1 circuit (about 6 kilometers). The fastest way is once across the beautiful park Monza. Whereby the fastest way means 45 minutes of brisk walking.
Arrived at the entrance gate A, we almost wanted to give up. There was a gatekeeper sitting here and it didn’t really look like you could even get near the racetrack. But since I had read that you can visit the racetrack outside of race days, we asked. And right – a quick chat and a flyer later, we were able to make our way to the track.
The distances on the grounds should not be underestimated. From the gatekeeper to our destination, the Infopoint (located near point 2 on the map), it took us about 15 minutes to walk. Apparently you are allowed to drive onto the site by car. Some cars drove past us.
Visit the race track
Of course, you can’t just walk onto the Formula 1 race track in Monza. In a few places you can catch a glimpse of the track. On the whole, however, everything is very well fenced. On the picture you can see the podium for the award ceremony with the 3 flagpoles.
At the Infopoint there is the possibility to book different tours and so get to know the race track.
Had it not been late December and only 5 degrees, I would have been tempted by a bike tour of the grounds. So we opted for the Track Lap Tour. We were not interested in the additional tour to the Media Centre, the Paddocks and some other points on site. We wanted to explore the race track in a mini-van.
Fortunately we could get into the car after only 20 minutes of waiting. A maximum of 8 people are always taken along. I admit, I pushed a bit, so that I could sit in the front next to the driver. From the second or third row you can also look good, but photos or filming is better from the front row!
From the pit lane we set off. Our driver drove along the track at only 40 km/h and talked the whole time. The ride lasted about 6 minutes. I shot video the whole time and increased the running speed a bit while editing the film. But even at that speed, we didn’t go anywhere near the speed of a race car….
Admittedly, 40 km/h is not fast. But have you seen the first chicane? I found the speed more than sufficient, the track really narrow and when the Formula 1 race cars heated through and even overtake each other… that does not happen more is almost a miracle.
Even though the trip was only short, the price was worth it for us. After we had experienced a Formula 1 training day live in Barcelona and had walked around the track, the visit to the Formula 1 race track in Monza was once again something very special. The experience of having driven around the track and having seen the key points of the circuit live now makes watching a race even more exciting.
Small details about the route that not everyone knows:
- At the exit of the pit lanes, the race cars on the track come barreling down the track at around 340 km/h. Drivers on the exit have a speed limit and must merge into traffic.
- Curva Biasonno: named after the town in the immediate vicinity of the racetrack
- The circuit is located in Monza Park, this is surrounded by walls built by Napoleon. Some of the walls are also located at the race track.
- The park around the race track was long used as a hunting ground for the nobility. With the construction of the race track, a golf club also settled here.
- If you drive over the side barrier in a chicane at 40 km/h, you get a good jolt to the spine despite the suspension. What might that be like at 200 km/h, when the car has no suspension?
- On the green areas at the edge of the race track they show advertisements during TV broadcasts. But the drivers only see the green areas.
- Variant Ascari was named after the Italian racing driver Ascari. He died at this place in 1955, when he was on the race track with a friend. No one witnessed his accident.
- The track has been rebuilt several times over the years and adapted to current safety requirements. Thus, the steep curve is no longer used today and is slowly falling into disrepair.
- Today, the Formula 1 race track in Monza is about 5.8 km long and is one of the fastest race tracks.
- In 2005, Kimi Räikkönen set the speed record of 370.1 km/h, which is still unbroken today.
Address:
Infopoint
Autodromo Nazionale Monza
Via Vedano 5
20900 Monza MB
Opening hours Infopoint:
Monday – Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm
Changes on holidays, vacation periods possible.
Closed on Formula 1 weekend (incl. Monday).
Admission fees terrain:
If events/races take place you have to pay the entrance fee of the event.
Otherwise the entrance to the area is free of charge!
Admission fees Guided tours:
The prices of the tours vary.
We paid 10 € pP for the Track Lap ride.
More detailed information can be found on the Website.
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