Work to modernise the Autodromo Nazionale Monza is now underway with the hopes of securing the circuit’s long-term future on the Formula 1 calendar.
Monza and Imola, host of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, both hold contracts with the sport through 2025 however F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali last month confirmed that the future of Grand Prix racing in Italy was yet to be determined.
While confirming that discussions were ongoing with both circuits, Domenicali stressed the need for “necessary” renovations at Monza to keep the track in line with the modern-day requirements of an F1 venue.
Having hosted all but one iteration of the Italian Grand Prix, the Temple of Speed has long been regarded as one of the most iconic venues on the F1 tour.
Improvement works had been scheduled shortly after the running of the 2023 Italian Grand Prix in September, but after lengthy delays, the critical renovation work is now finally underway.
On Monday morning, a press conference was held at the circuit to mark the start of 140 days of work which will see a resurfacing of the circuit asphalt, improvements to water draining solutions as well as upgrades to grandstands, circuit facilities and the construction of a new underpass alongside the expansion of the three existing underpasses.
A total of €21 million has been invested in this latest project to return the circuit to modern F1 standards.
President of the Automobile Club d’Italia Angelo Sticchi Damiani said: “Our main goal is to bring the Autodromo back up to speed.
“We can no longer afford to have problems with the flow of fans, and we must offer greater comfort to those who come to the circuit. We have set ourselves three goals to best meet the requests made to us, and of these the first is the underpasses.
“The second goal is related to the grandstands. We still have several temporary structures, so we will build more solid structures that will provide all the amenities in line with what a spectator expects today. Each grandstand will be an island with all the necessary services inside, so that the public will not have to move around.
“Finally, a permanent type of roofing will be built over the pit building (it is currently a tensile structure). The support pillars will be reinforced because the structure will grow in height.
“By the end of June everything must be ready to host all the events scheduled from early July, up to the most important one which is the Italian GP.”
Speaking via video link, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali marked the upgrades to the grandstand as an “important goal” for the sport.
“We need to be able to receive our guests in a proper structure and no longer under a tent, as it was until last year,” he commented.
“In addition to this, there are obviously other interventions needed for the future. Monza has a great tradition but we must also look ahead and propose the racetrack at the level of the other world championship tracks.
“I want to thank the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the President of Lombardy, the President of the Automobile Club of Italy and the Mayor of Monza for the effort that led to this announcement and to making the investments possible.
“I look forward to seeing these works completed in time for the Grand Prix Italy in September and I hope that the entire work program will continue in the coming years”.
