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The BBC Sport feature titled Monza memories – Italian GP in pictures through the years has assembled dozens of photographs that chronicle the triumphs and tragedies at one of Formula 1’s most revered venues. Those images range from the 1950 race that settled the inaugural world championship to Charles Leclerc’s 2024 victory for Ferrari, capturing the essence of Monza’s role in motorsport lore. The circuit, absent from the calendar only in 1980, continues to draw massive crowds and will do so again when the 2026 Italian Grand Prix takes place this weekend.
Monza opened in 1922 as the third purpose-built motor racing circuit in the world following an initiative by the Automobile Club of Milan. A detailed circuit history from Everything F1 noted that the track was completed in 110 days and quickly became synonymous with high-speed racing. The venue earned its Temple of Speed nickname through long straights and fast corners that have produced record average speeds in Formula 1.
Tragic moments feature prominently in the BBC Sport selection, including the 1961 collision involving Wolfgang von Trips that resulted in his death and that of 14 spectators. The retrospective also recalls Jochen Rindt’s fatal practice crash in 1970 before he was crowned champion posthumously and the 1978 accident that took the life of Ronnie Peterson after Mario Andretti had clinched the title. Mario Andretti was quoted in the feature as saying motor racing is also this after the Peterson incident.
Further images in the collection depict high drama such as the 1988 race where Ayrton Senna was eliminated early yet Ferrari claimed a one-two finish shortly after Enzo Ferrari’s passing. The 2021 collision between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton at the first chicane is shown with the halo device credited with protecting Hamilton. Leclerc’s win two years ago for the home team is the most recent highlight included while earlier shots capture stars from Jim Clark to Niki Lauda and Michael Schumacher.
According to Wikipedia the Italian Grand Prix has been contested 96 times with all but one edition since 1950 taking place at Monza. The circuit measures 5.793 kilometres and the race consists of 53 laps for a total distance of just over 306 kilometres. Rubens Barrichello holds the race lap record with a time of one minute 21.046 seconds set in 2004.
Formula 1 has enjoyed record attendance across the 2026 season with nearly 3.7 million fans at race weekends through the midway point of the year according to figures released by the series. The Italian round traditionally ranks among the best attended events given the passionate local support for Ferrari. Television audiences in Italy have risen 27 percent this season compared with the previous year.
