The Monza Speed Record That Has Stood Since 2020

Monza still guards the Formula One speed record set by Lewis Hamilton in 2020. Driving for Mercedes, Hamilton completed a qualifying lap at an average speed of 264.362 kph, a mark that has not been beaten and that helps explain the Italian circuit’s nickname, the Temple of Speed.

The track lies in a metropolitan park of centuries-old trees just outside Milan. Its first Grand Prix took place in 1921, and this year’s race is the 95th. Monza stretches 5.793 kilometres, has 11 corners and includes three long straights. Teams use an aerodynamic setup with minimal wing angles, a configuration not used elsewhere.

Michael Schumacher holds Monza’s race average-speed record. He reached 247.586 kph with Ferrari in 2003. Ferrari has prepared a special livery for its cars to honour him.

Ferrari is Monza’s most successful team, with 20 wins, followed by McLaren on 11, Mercedes on nine and Alfa Romeo on eight. The circuit’s history also includes Gerhard Berger’s Ferrari victory in 1988, which ended McLaren’s winning run just days after Enzo Ferrari’s death. Since then, Ferrari has won 10 times, with victories credited to Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso. The track surface was completely rebuilt in 2024, and spectator facilities were upgraded.