Autodromo Nazionale di Monza

The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza is a racing circuit located in the Royal Park of Monza, near Milan, opened in 1922. It is the fastest permanent Grand Prix circuit on the Formula One calendar and has a particular significance in Alfa Romeo’s history: Monza served as the venue for many of the marque’s greatest victories, beginning with Antonio Ascari’s dominance in 1923–1924 and continuing through the post-war 158/159 Alfetta era.

Monza is also the location of a defining moment in Alfa Romeo Formula One history: the 1978 Italian Grand Prix, where Alfa Romeo’s 1.5-litre flat-12 engine — supplied to Brabham under Carlo Chiti’s supervision — powered Niki Lauda’s Brabham BT46 to a victory just months after the controversial Swedish Grand Prix win in the fan car. The circuit’s proximity to Alfa Romeo’s Portello and Arese factories made it a natural home venue for the marque throughout its racing history.

Connections

• Alfa Romeo — historic home circuit; venue of multiple landmark victories, source: wikipedia.org
• Antonio Ascari — won at Monza in the early 1920s in Alfa Romeo P2 era machinery, source: wikipedia.org
• Alfa Romeo Formula One Return 1976–1985 — 1978 Italian GP at Monza was a landmark result for the Brabham-Alfa partnership, source: wikipedia.org