5 Amazing Moments at the Formula Italian Grand Prix
If Formula 1 has a spiritual home, it might just be Monza. The Temple of Speed has hosted more Grands Prix than any other circuit in the world, and for over a century, it’s been the backdrop for triumphs, heartbreaks, and iconic moments. Whether it’s tifosi euphoria or title-deciding drama, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza never fails to deliver the unforgettable.
Let’s revisit five amazing moments that prove why Monza is sacred ground in the world of Formula 1.
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1967 – Surtees Wins in a Photo Finish
A first pole start for #Honda #OTD at the 1968 #ItalianGP 🇮🇹 – the great John Surtees at the wheel (📷) #F1 pic.twitter.com/dgklfw1PtP
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 8, 2016
Monza’s long straights and slipstreaming culture were on full display in 1967, when John Surtees claimed victory in one of the closest finishes in F1 history. Driving a Honda, Surtees battled through a four-way duel with Jack Brabham, Jim Clark, and Bruce McLaren. Clark had staged a heroic comeback after an early puncture, taking the lead with just a few laps to go—only to run out of fuel. That left Surtees and Brabham to duel to the line. According to Formula1.com, the final margin was just 0.2 seconds, capping off a breathtaking race where fortunes turned with every straight. It was Monza in its purest form: fast, frantic, and unforgettable.
1971 – The Closest Finish in F1 History
Monza: venue of the closest finish in #F1 history back in 1971.#ItalianGP facts & figures >> http://t.co/otT6Fp9quN pic.twitter.com/i5iepA5voz
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 1, 2015
Monza earned another place in the record books in 1971, hosting the closest finish Formula 1 has ever seen. Peter Gethin crossed the line just 0.01 seconds ahead of Ronnie Peterson, with the top five cars separated by just 0.61 seconds. As Motorsport Magazine recounts, this was the era before chicanes, when Monza’s fearsome speed produced race-long slipstreaming trains. The lead changed constantly, and no one knew who would win until the very last moment. Gethin, a stand-in driver with little expectation, etched his name into F1 folklore with a win that remains mathematically unmatched to this day.
1988 – Ferrari’s Emotional 1-2 After Enzo’s Passing
Just weeks after the death of Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari, the Scuderia delivered a performance worthy of its legendary patriarch. In a season where McLaren-Honda was nearly unbeatable, Monza was the one exception. Alain Prost retired early, and Ayrton Senna—leading comfortably—clashed with a backmarker in the closing laps. Gerhard Berger and Michele Alboreto swept past, giving Ferrari an emotional 1-2 finish in front of the ecstatic tifosi. As Formula1.com describes, the scenes were tearful, deafening, and deeply symbolic. It wasn’t just a win—it was a farewell tribute to a man who built one of the greatest teams in motorsport history.
2008 – Vettel Makes History in the Wet
When Sebastian Vettel stormed to pole position in a wet qualifying session at Monza in 2008, few believed he could hold on in the race. Driving for the modest Toro Rosso team, the then-21-year-old German stunned the world. He led from the start, controlled the pace in treacherous rain, and delivered a masterclass to become the youngest race winner in Formula 1 history at the time. As Formula1.com notes, it was a fairy tale win that instantly marked Vettel as a star of the future. Monza had once again crowned an unlikely hero, proving that magic still lives in the spray and the speed.
2021 – McLaren Breaks the Drought in Style
In one of the most unexpected yet thrilling Monza races of the modern era, McLaren pulled off a shock 1-2 finish in 2021. Daniel Ricciardo led from the start and never gave it up—even after a dramatic crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton took both championship leaders out of the race. Teammate Lando Norris followed closely behind, securing the team’s first win since 2012 and their first 1-2 since 2010. According to Motorsport Magazine, the celebrations were wild, the energy electric, and Ricciardo’s trademark “shoey” returned to the top step. Monza, once again, served up a twist no one saw coming.
From photo finishes and emotional tributes to shock upsets and record-breaking speed, Monza is more than just a race—it’s a feeling. It’s the sound of 100,000 tifosi roaring in unison, the heart-pounding draft down the main straight, and the eternal pursuit of glory in Ferrari’s backyard.
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