F1 at Monza, new look for Italian GP. Sticchi Damiani: state-of-the-art track

Resurfaced track, newly designed paving, renovated subways. New look in step with innovation for the Autodromo di Monza, which reopens its doors, after almost seven months of work, with the most prestigious race, the Formula 1 Pirelli Italian Grand Prix, scheduled for Sunday 1 September at 3pm. It is the 16th round out of 24 of the World Championship, the 74th to be raced on this track since the Formula 1 World Championship was established in 1950, and the 95th ever.

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 constructors' standings with Red Bull; Ferraristi Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc; McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri; and Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who will race for the Maranello marque next year.

Work on the racetrack, which started on 8 January 2024, cost 21 million euro. The track has been completely resurfaced with a newly designed flexible pavement, which makes the track perform better, both in terms of speed and endurance. The carriageway of the First Variant has been widened on the recommendation of the Fia to allow two cars to travel side by side for the entire distance; all the kerbs have been replaced, respecting the standards set by the Federation. The water collection and drainage system has also been improved, through an apparatus specifically designed to cope with the increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

The works also facilitated the flow and outflow of spectators thanks to the construction of a new subway, which connects the entrance drive from Porta Vedano to the Parabolica, and the resurfacing, with relative widening, of the roadway, which was also accompanied by the construction of a dedicated pedestrian pathway of three other subways: 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. The objective of the new works is to separate pedestrian and vehicle traffic, allowing a new, functional and safe access for heavy vehicles. New pedestrian paths were also created in limestone, an ideal material for outdoor pedestrian paving. Two pedestrian walkways have also been installed for the Grand Prix: one at the height of the Prima Variante to facilitate those entering from Biassono, and the other, near the Variante Ascari, to reach the Viale Mirabello area where the Fan Zone is located. Then 31 big screens along the track will allow the public not to miss anything that happens on the track.

Aci president Angelo Sticchi Damiani stressed that 'this is a different track from the one that hosted the last edition of the Italian Grand Prix. We started in the redevelopment of the facility from the most important thing for an autodrome: the track. And of course we have to continue on this path. What has been achieved so far constitutes the first part of our modernisation plan, it is obviously the most strategic part, the one that 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 up-to-date as possible. Not only because Monza deserves it, but also in view of the renewal of the contract with Formula 1.