Race Build-Up: Five unforgettable moments around Monza, the “Temple of Speed”

The home of the Tifosi. The ‘Temple of Speed’. ‘La Pista Magica’. 

Formula 1 goes racing on Italian turf this weekend at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza – F1’s oldest circuit, where speed commands the race. It’s a 5.793 km circuit known for its long straights and sweeping corners with two DRS zones. 

Monza is a true haven of speed – it’s demanding, it’s legendary, and it always delivers. Over the years, spectators and drivers alike have had their fair share of chaos and glory. We’re diving into some of the unforgettable moments that define its magic. 

Photo: Red Bull Racing

1976: Niki Lauda’s astounding comeback

Forty-two days before the 1976 Monza Grand Prix, Niki Lauda’s career – and life – nearly ended in flames. The Austrian suffered a massive crash at the Nürburgring, where he sustained burn injuries and flame inhalation. Few believed he would survive, let alone race again. 

Yet against all odds, Lauda began a miraculous recovery. Before long, the Ferrari driver was on track in Monza to defend his title. However, his return wasn’t hitch-free: Enzo Ferrari doubted that Lauda was fit to make a return, so he hired Carlos Reutemann as a replacement. Initially, his doubts proved right when Lauda struggled and openly admitted to being afraid on his first day on track. 

But the next day, everything changed. After overnight reflection, Lauda rediscovered his rhythm and qualified fifth. On race Sunday, he defied expectations once more and brought his Ferrari home in fourth place. Monza marked the return of an icon and a relentless fighter. 

2008: Sebastian Vettel’s first career win with Toro Rosso 

A young Sebastian Vettel, 21, became the youngest pole sitter and race winner in Formula 1 after taking the chequered flag on a rain-soaked Monza track. 

Vettel’s win was a classic underdog story. On a wet, treacherous Qualifying Saturday, the German drove his Toro Rosso – a team with no history of victory – to pole position. Many dismissed it as a one-lap wonder, but far from it. 

Come Sunday, Vettel proved everyone wrong. While the championship leader, Lewis Hamilton, and reigning champion, Kimi Räikkönen, struggled in the spray, the 21-year-old drove with composure. The German led the race confidently from the start, managed his pit stops to perfection, and never let the pressure cloud his judgment. A terrific job for a young driver.

After 53 laps, Vettel crossed the finish line 12.512 seconds ahead of Heikki Kovalainen, a McLaren driver. The 2008 Monza Grand Prix was not only Sebastian Vettel’s first Formula 1 win, but Toro Rosso’s first and only victory as a team. 

2019: Charles Leclerc’s first Ferrari win on Italian ground after a decade

Charles Leclerc upgraded his status to ‘national hero’ in 2019, when he claimed Ferrari’s first win in Monza after almost a decade of drought for the Italian outfit. 

The Monegasque delivered a defensive masterclass, keeping a hunting Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas in his rearview mirror. For much of the race, it appeared as if Hamilton might snatch the win, but a lock-up late in the race made way for Valtteri Bottas, who also failed to charge up to the Ferrari man. 

After 53 laps of flawless execution, Leclerc finished the race less than a second clear of Bottas, the Mercedes driver. A second career win for the books, which came just one week after the Monegasque’s maiden victory at Spa. 

2020: Pierre Gasly’s shock win for AlphaTauri

Magia happens in Monza, and so it did for Pierre Gasly during the 2020 Monza Grand Prix. The stars aligned and delivered the Frenchman his maiden win in Formula 1, racing for AlphaTauri. 

Gasly started tenth on the grid, but quickly climbed the order with a perfectly timed pit stop just before Kevin Magnussen’s retirement forced the pit lane to close. With rivals unable to stop, the Frenchman gained a huge advantage and rose to third once the field reshuffled. The AlphaTauri driver was trailing Stroll in second and Hamilton in first. 

On lap 25 of 53, Charles Leclerc crashed, bringing out a red flag. During the red flag, the stewards also handed Hamilton – who was leading the race – a stop/go penalty for entering the pit lane when closed. At the standing restart, Gasly seized his chance, overtaking Stroll and one lap later took the lead of the race as Hamilton served his penalty. 

With a charging Carlos Sainz in pursuit, Gasly kept his composure and crossed the line to claim a stunning maiden victory.