The history of the Monza banking
(A thread)
The famed Monza banking was built in 1954 as part of Monza's extensive redesign. The banking was used in four Formula 1 World Championship races, in 1955, 1956, 1960 and 1961.
The banking was part of the 4.25 kilometre oval named the Pista di Alta Velocita that looped inside and around the the outer 5.75 kilometre road course. For four of the Grands Prix the two circuits were combined to create one 10 kilometre track.
The two circuits used the same main straight, so rubber pylons and armco barriers were used to separate the two tracks, this created two lanes down the single main straight. When a driver was on the inside lane they would peel off and join onto the banking.
The two circuits used the same main straight, so rubber pylons and armco barriers were used to separate the two tracks, this created two lanes down the single main straight. When a driver was on the inside lane they would peel off and join onto the banking.
The two circuits used the same main straight, so rubber pylons and armco barriers were used to separate the two tracks, this created two lanes down the single main straight. When a driver was on the inside lane they would peel off and join onto the banking.
The two circuits used the same main straight, so rubber pylons and armco barriers were used to separate the two tracks, this created two lanes down the single main straight. When a driver was on the inside lane they would peel off and join onto the banking.
The drivers on the outside would carry on straight towards Curva Grande, turn 3 on today's circuit.
The banking has an 80% gradient at its steepest point. The curves where built on reinforced concrete structures and were lined with a single line of armco barrier. The banking was designed to handle theoretical top speeds of 285km/h.
The banking has an 80% gradient at its steepest point. The curves where built on reinforced concrete structures and were lined with a single line of armco barrier. The banking was designed to handle theoretical top speeds of 285km/h.
The banking has an 80% gradient at its steepest point. The curves where built on reinforced concrete structures and were lined with a single line of armco barrier. The banking was designed to handle theoretical top speeds of 285km/h.
The banking has an 80% gradient at its steepest point. The curves where built on reinforced concrete structures and were lined with a single line of armco barrier. The banking was designed to handle theoretical top speeds of 285km/h.
The banking has an 80% gradient at its steepest point. The curves where built on reinforced concrete structures and were lined with a single line of armco barrier. The banking was designed to handle theoretical top speeds of 285km/h.
The top speeds achieved were extremely dangerous as the centrifugal forces generated placed extreme stress on suspension and tyres. In 1956 the abrasive concrete surface also caused multiple tyre failures. Following this the next 3 Grands Prix reverted back to the road course.
The top speeds achieved were extremely dangerous as the centrifugal forces generated placed extreme stress on suspension and tyres. In 1956 the abrasive concrete surface also caused multiple tyre failures. Following this the next 3 Grands Prix reverted back to the road course.
The top speeds achieved were extremely dangerous as the centrifugal forces generated placed extreme stress on suspension and tyres. In 1956 the abrasive concrete surface also caused multiple tyre failures. Following this the next 3 Grands Prix reverted back to the road course.
In 1955 Mercedes dominated with Juan Manuel Fangio winning with Italian teammate Pierro Taruffi finishing second, luckily to spare Ferrari's blushes Eugenio Castellotti finished third.
In 1955 Mercedes dominated with Juan Manuel Fangio winning with Italian teammate Pierro Taruffi finishing second, luckily to spare Ferrari's blushes Eugenio Castellotti finished third.
In 1955 Mercedes dominated with Juan Manuel Fangio winning with Italian teammate Pierro Taruffi finishing second, luckily to spare Ferrari's blushes Eugenio Castellotti finished third.
In 1955 Mercedes dominated with Juan Manuel Fangio winning with Italian teammate Pierro Taruffi finishing second, luckily to spare Ferrari's blushes Eugenio Castellotti finished third.
In 1956 Stirling Moss won the race for Maserati. Juan Manuel Fangio retired with a broken steering arm, however Peter Collins handed his car over to Fangio. Fangio went on to finish second only 5.7 seconds behind Moss and claim his 4th world title, his only title with Ferrari.
In 1960 Formula 1 returned to the banking in favour of Ferrari following an unsuccessful season with their front engined 246 P not being able to challenge the rear engined British cars. Ironically the Scuderia had an advantage with a much higher top speed.
The decision to use the 10 kilometre circuit sparked outrage from British teams with Lotus, Cooper and BRM opting to boycott the race in protest. Ferrari didn't care about the British and went on to finish first, second and third with only 4.4 seconds covering the top three.
The decision to use the 10 kilometre circuit sparked outrage from British teams with Lotus, Cooper and BRM opting to boycott the race in protest. Ferrari didn't care about the British and went on to finish first, second and third with only 4.4 seconds covering the top three.
The decision to use the 10 kilometre circuit sparked outrage from British teams with Lotus, Cooper and BRM opting to boycott the race in protest. Ferrari didn't care about the British and went on to finish first, second and third with only 4.4 seconds covering the top three.
The 1961 race was held on the 10 kilometre circuit again although speeds had been reduced following a change in engine regulations. The British teams still voiced there displeasure at the use of the of the banking but agreed to take part in the race.
The 1961 race was held on the 10 kilometre circuit again although speeds had been reduced following a change in engine regulations. The British teams still voiced there displeasure at the use of the of the banking but agreed to take part in the race.
The 1961 race was held on the 10 kilometre circuit again although speeds had been reduced following a change in engine regulations. The British teams still voiced there displeasure at the use of the of the banking but agreed to take part in the race.
32 drivers started the race but only 12 would finish, among the non finishers was Wolfgang von Trips who was killed at the entry of Parabolica on lap 2.
32 drivers started the race but only 12 would finish, among the non finishers was Wolfgang von Trips who was killed at the entry of Parabolica on lap 2.
32 drivers started the race but only 12 would finish, among the non finishers was Wolfgang von Trips who was killed at the entry of Parabolica on lap 2.
von Trips collided with Jim Clark's Lotus at the entry to Parabolica, his car became airborne and crashed into a barrier, fatally throwing von Trips from the car, and killing 15 spectators. The race is regarded as the most tragic in Formula 1 history.
Phil Hill inherited the victory and went on to claim the world championship. Even though the accident didn't happen on the banking it was decided that Formula 1 would never race on the high speed banking again.
Phil Hill inherited the victory and went on to claim the world championship. Even though the accident didn't happen on the banking it was decided that Formula 1 would never race on the high speed banking again.
Phil Hill inherited the victory and went on to claim the world championship. Even though the accident didn't happen on the banking it was decided that Formula 1 would never race on the high speed banking again.
Phil Hill inherited the victory and went on to claim the world championship. Even though the accident didn't happen on the banking it was decided that Formula 1 would never race on the high speed banking again.
The banking narrowly escaped being demolished in the late 1990s. Some sections have been resurfaced in recent years. In 2015 Lewis Hamilton and Stirling Moss drove 2 different versions of the W196 on the famous banking.
The banking narrowly escaped being demolished in the late 1990s. Some sections have been resurfaced in recent years. In 2015 Lewis Hamilton and Stirling Moss drove 2 different versions of the W196 on the famous banking.
The banking narrowly escaped being demolished in the late 1990s. Some sections have been resurfaced in recent years. In 2015 Lewis Hamilton and Stirling Moss drove 2 different versions of the W196 on the famous banking.
The banking narrowly escaped being demolished in the late 1990s. Some sections have been resurfaced in recent years. In 2015 Lewis Hamilton and Stirling Moss drove 2 different versions of the W196 on the famous banking.
The banking narrowly escaped being demolished in the late 1990s. Some sections have been resurfaced in recent years. In 2015 Lewis Hamilton and Stirling Moss drove 2 different versions of the W196 on the famous banking.
In 2020 the cars taking part in the 12 Hours of Monza paraded around the banking.
In 2020 the cars taking part in the 12 Hours of Monza paraded around the banking.
In 2020 the cars taking part in the 12 Hours of Monza paraded around the banking.
In 2020 the cars taking part in the 12 Hours of Monza paraded around the banking.
A few photos that make you realise how steep this amazing piece of engineering actually is.
A few photos that make you realise how steep this amazing piece of engineering actually is.
A few photos that make you realise how steep this amazing piece of engineering actually is.
A few photos that make you realise how steep this amazing piece of engineering actually is.
A few photos that make you realise how steep this amazing piece of engineering actually is.
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