08.27.2024
Sticchi Damiani: “Formula 1 finds a cutting-edge track”
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza reopens, after almost 7 months of work, with the most prestigious race on its calendar: the 2024 Formula 1 Pirelli Italian Grand Prix, scheduled for Sunday 1 September at 3pm. This is the sixteenth race out of 24 of the 2024 World Championship, the 74th to be held on this facility since the Formula 1 World Championship was established in 1950, the 95th overall. In the 15 races held so far, seven drivers have alternated on the top step of the podium: Max Verstappen, who shares the leadership in the drivers’ and manufacturers’ standings with Red Bull, the Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, the McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri and those of Mercedes, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who will race for the Maranello company next year. A sign of a very balanced championship, in which we no longer see the undisputed dominance of a single car. A premise of great spectacle and uncertainty for the Monza race.
Route redone: improved performance and drainage
The works, which began on 8 January 2024 and cost 21 million euros, offer the protagonists of the 2024 World Championship a completely resurfaced track with a newly developed flexible pavement, which makes the track more performing, both in terms of speed and resistance; the roadway of the First Variant was widened following indications from the FIA to allow two cars to travel side by side for the entire journey; all the curbs have been replaced, respecting the regulations established by the Federation; the water collection system and its removal have been improved, through an apparatus specifically designed to cope with the increasingly frequent extreme atmospheric events.
New underpasses: pedestrians and vehicles clearly separated
Also of great importance are the works that will facilitate the flow and outflow of spectators thanks to the construction of a new underpass, which connects the entrance avenue from Porta Vedano to the Parabolica, and the reconstruction, with relative widening, of the roadway which was accompanied also the creation of a dedicated pedestrian path with three other underpasses: at the Santa Maria alle Selve entrance, and the two that connect viale Mirabello and the internal area of the circuit, crossing the straight between the Ascari variant and the Parabolica-Alboreto curve. A series of works that aim to separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic, allowing new, functional and safe access for heavy vehicles. Furthermore, new pedestrian paths were created in concrete, an ideal material for outdoor pedestrian paving. On the occasion of the Grand Prix, two pedestrian walkways were also installed: one at the level of the First Variante to facilitate those entering from Biassono and the other, near the Variante Ascari, which allows you to reach the area of viale Mirabello where find the Fan Zone.
Speakers’ statements
During the press conference, the President of the Automobile Club Milano, Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the President of the Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana, the President of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali, the Mayor of Monza and President of the Villa Reale Consortium and Parco di Monza, Paolo Pilotto, the Councilor for Economic Development and Labor Policies of the Municipality of Milan, Alessia Cappello, the President of Automobile Club Milano, Geronimo La Russa and the President of Autodromo Nazionale Monza Giuseppe Redaelli.
Sticchi Damiani: “F1 finds a cutting-edge track”
Angelo Sticchi Damiani (ACI President): “This is a different track than the one that hosted the last edition of the Italian Grand Prix. Monza has changed so much in the last year, which has been made complicated, and I am obviously referring to the works, bad weather and a whole series of obstacles. We started in redeveloping the facility with the most important thing for a racetrack: the track. And of course we must continue on this path. What has been achieved so far constitutes the first part of our modernization plan, it is obviously the most strategic part, which allows us to make a good impression with the teams, the drivers, Formula 1, and world motorsport. Now, however, we must continue to make this racetrack as hospitable, attractive and in step with the times as possible. Not only because Monza deserves it but also in view of the renewal of the contract with Formula 1.”
Fontana: “Autodrome expression of our excellence”
Attilio Fontana (President of the Lombardy Region) “The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza – the oldest, most prestigious and fastest circuit in the F1 world – presents itself to drivers, teams, professionals, media, fans and enthusiasts with a completely renewed body and soul. A restyling, the one recently completed, respecting the times, which will make the system more modern, high-performance, safe, comfortable, sustainable”. “The Monza Autodrome confirms itself as a model, an excellence that continues after a century to enhance its history, charm and great tradition. The Temple of Speed is ready to welcome the F1 world championship circus, launching yet another challenge. The challenge to express modernity, efficiency, the ability to offer better services to the public and to those who work in F1. Demonstrating what the future means for us, making a concrete response that becomes compatible, thanks to the work done, with the sporting and safety needs that the world asks of us.”
Domenicali: “ACI’s commitment to keeping up with the times is good”
Stefano Domenicali (President and CEO of Formula 1) “The Italian Grand Prix is one of the most important moments of the year for both our drivers and fans and I am thrilled to return to Monza this weekend. The season so far has been extraordinary, with close battles at the front and multiple race winners. I am sure that the Temple of Speed will be able to offer many emotions to our fans all over the world again this year. The improvements made to a first part of the circuit’s infrastructure demonstrate a strong commitment on the part of the Automobile Club Italia to improve the venue and meet the standards required by modern Formula 1. I want to thank the President of the ACI, the President of Lombardy and the Mayor of Monza for their hard work and passion that made these works possible.”
Pilotto: “The GP is the symbol of a city at the top of innovation”
Paolo Pilotto (Mayor of Monza and President of the Villa Reale and Monza Park Consortium) “Monza is ready again this year to welcome the many Formula 1 enthusiasts who will want to enjoy the intense and colorful atmosphere of the Grand Prix in the more than one hundred year old racetrack of city: in addition to the restyling of the system, the extraordinary mobility plan has already been made available to better manage traffic flows. With Monza-FuoriGP the city will offer a lively program for those who want to carve out moments of relaxation. Monza is a city rich in history, artistic and environmental values. But it is also the city of business and research, technology and innovation: this is the context in which it welcomes the Formula 1 Grand Prix.” Complete program and constantly updated information are also available on www.comune.monza.it.
Cappello: “Milan is a tourist city, thanks also to the GP”
Alessia Cappello (Councillor for Economic Development and Labor Policies of the Municipality of Milan) “The Italian Grand Prix is not only one of the most awaited events by speed and motoring enthusiasts, but also represents a precious opportunity for Milan and the entire metropolitan area, thanks to the important satellite activities it generates, with positive effects on all sectors, from hospitality to commerce. This year, our city is recording an exceptional tourist flow, confirming the positive trend of 2023, which has closed with over 8 and a half million visitors. The turnout linked to the Grand Prix contributes to strengthening this growth, confirming Milan as one of the main tourist and cultural destinations at an international level”.
La Russa: “Undisputed protagonists of the World Cup also in the future”
Geronimo La Russa (President of AC Milan) “Thanks to the precious work of all those involved and the contribution of the institutions, the Temple of Speed returns this year with a renewed and even more exciting look. The next objective is for Monza to continue to be the undisputed protagonist of the world championship even after 2025. A goal that, I am sure, we will be able to achieve because this track is the history of Formula 1 and the enthusiasm of the fans who crowd our stands it has very few equals in the rest of the world. The Italian Grand Prix, then, is a unique opportunity to promote the excellence of both the territory that hosts it and our entire country. All elements that allow us to look to the future with healthy optimism.”
Redaelli: “A circuit increasingly attentive to sustainability
Giuseppe Redaelli (President of Autodromo Nazionale Monza) “After months of intense work to begin a modernization process, the time has finally come to restart the engines at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. A racetrack that increasingly pays attention to social and environmental sustainability. This year too there will be many initiatives in the paddock, in the Fan Zone, inside and outside the circuit. We have made important innovations to eliminate architectural barriers and make the experience of enthusiasts with disabilities even more inclusive, dedicating the former camping area to them with all the necessary services. Services that increase for all spectators with increasingly larger and more equipped food courts, over 100 dispensers of free water and 50+ sun cream dispensers thanks to an initiative in collaboration with LILT. The Formula 1 Pirelli Italian Grand Prix 2024 is also the opportunity for us to launch the Asphalt Collection, unveiling the limited editions created with the asphalt that made the history of the Autodromo Nazionale Monza”.
The programme: single-seaters on track from Friday 30 August
The program includes two free practice sessions on Friday 30 August (1.30-2.30 pm and 5-6 pm) and on Saturday 31 August third free practice session (12.30-1.30 pm) and qualifying (4-5 pm). The 2024 Formula 1 Pirelli Italian Grand Prix will start on Sunday 1 September at 3pm. The race will take place over 53 laps of the course which measures 5,793 metres. Formula 2, Formula 3 and Porsche Supercup will also be on track over the weekend.
Big screens, refreshment points and water points
There will be 31 giant screens arranged along the entire track which will allow the public not to miss anything that is happening on the track. There are twenty-one refreshment points, four of which are food courts. There are 13 water points managed by Brianzacque plus ten water fountains. As in the previous edition, it is possible to introduce half-liter water bottles into the system.
Fan Zone open from August 29th
From Thursday 29th August, in the area located between the straight opposite the pits and the high speed line, the Fan Zone will be open: on the 29th from 1pm to 7pm, with free admission. From 9am to 7pm from Friday to Sunday for ticket holders only. Purchase is possible on the sites monzanet.it And ticketone.it.
An app to know everything you need to experience the GP
The official program of the event and entertainment activities, the safety instructions for the public together with the recommended parking spaces and access routes are available on the Monza Circuit smartphone application, which can be downloaded from the digital stores and from the website www.monzanet.it
A special bottle of Ferrari Trento for the podium party
On the occasion of the press conference to present the Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d’Italia 2024 Ferrari Trento, official supplier of Formula 1, unveiled the Ferrari F1® Gran Premio d’Italia Jeroboam, a special bottle characterized by a tricolor livery designed specifically for this prestigious event, with which the riders will celebrate on the podium at the end of the world championship race.