- The iconic circuit’s place on the Formula 1 calendar is guaranteed until 2031.
- Monza is Ferrari’s spiritual home.
- Lewis Hamilton has the chance to make history with a record-breaking sixth win at the track.
Few circuits can boast the enduring legacy within Formula 1 quite like Monza, the undisputed home of Italian motorsport.
Known as The Temple of Speed, this legendary track has been a mainstay on the Formula 1 calendar since its inception in 1922. With its place now secured until 2031 thanks to a six-year extension, Monza continues to stand tall as a symbol of Formula 1’s heritage amidst the sport’s rapid global expansion.
In an era where shiny new circuits like Miami and Las Vegas continue to draw record crowds and dominate the headlines, Monza’s enduring presence in the F1 calendar offers a vital connection to the sport’s roots, celebrating an unbridled passion for motorsport in this unique part of the world, and a history that has defined the sport for more than a century.
As Lewis Hamilton prepares to embark on his Ferrari journey in 2025, Monza’s significance only intensifies with the coming season; a win here will write Hamilton’s name into the enduring history of Ferrari folklore.
Monza: The Italian Heartbeat of Formula 1
For Ferrari, this iconic circuit has always been more than just a racetrack; it’s a spiritual home for Italian motorsport fans; an enduring proving ground for Ferrari drivers to stake their claim and take the points home for Italy’s devoted motorsport fans.
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Of course, for Lewis Hamilton, Monza has long been a special circuit to race throughout his career, claiming victory five times to match the record set by one of Ferrari’s and Formula 1’s most iconic drivers, Michael Schumacher. As the British legend begins his tenure with the Scuderia in 2025, this revered track will take on even greater significance; he’ll be desperate to take his record-breaking sixth win here at the first time of asking.
The seven-time world champion will arrive at Maranello at the start of the 2025 season, emboldened by a new chapter with one of the most iconic racing teams in the history of the sport.
It’s clear that Hamilton has the elusive eighth championship in his sights, establishing himself as the single-greatest driver in the history of Formula 1. A victory at Monza would be the perfect first step in enamouring himself to his new fans, continuing a record-breaking run at the pinnacle of the sport.
A Legacy Shared by Legends
Monza’s legacy is unparalleled. It has witnessed triumphs, tragedies, and moments of brilliance that have defined generations of Formula 1.
Located in the heart of Lombardy, the circuit is woven into the fabric of Italian culture. For Ferrari, Monza isn’t just a race; it’s a celebration of Italian motorsport.
This iconic track has seen some memorable moments through the years; from Sebastian Vettel’s shock win with Toro Rosso in 2008, which remains one of the most emotional underdog victories in F1 history, to Charles Leclerc’s infamous win in 2019 which reignited Ferrari’s fallen pride after nearly a decade-long drought at the circuit, every lap around this Italian temple has witnessed history.
Michael Schumacher, Ferrari’s most celebrated driver, claimed five victories here, ensuring this circuit was the ultimate proving ground for Ferrari legends, desperate to secure the points for the Italian motorsport fans.
Hamilton is certainly no stranger to Monza’s podium; the British driver has seen victory here in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018 with an all-conquering Mercedes team whose dominance defined an era in Formula 1. Yet, 2025 marks the beginning of a new chapter; a new start.
Clad in Ferrari’s iconic red, Hamilton now faces the immense pressure of delivering glory at the Scuderia’s home race, where winning isn’t merely celebrated – it’s expected. For years, the seven-time champion has broken Italian hearts across the Mediterranean, denying a Ferrari win here until a young Charles Leclerc victory took the points home to Maranello in 2019.
For the tifosi, Ferrari’s famously passionate fanbase, Monza is sacred ground. To win here in a Ferrari is to transcend the sport itself, forever securing a place in the hearts of Italian motorsport fans.
Monza has long been a stage for Formula 1’s greatest rivalries, and it’s hard to avoid the comparisons between Schumacher and Hamilton that will undoubtedly dominate discussions in the years to come.
Schumacher’s dominance in the early 2000s brought Ferrari unprecedented success, making him a symbol of the team’s golden era and the sport of F1 itself. Schumacher’s five wins embodied the might of Ferrari’s engineering and his tactical brilliance at the turn of the millennium.
Of course, Hamilton’s respect for the legendary driver certainly needs no introduction, but the shared Monza victories between the two drivers draw fascinating parallels. In 2025, Hamilton has the chance to redefine the Italian team’s racing future and carve out a new chapter in his own extraordinary legacy.
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Move
As the most decorated driver in Formula 1 history, Lewis Hamilton’s switch to the Scuderia sent shockwaves through the sport ahead of the 2024 season. Why would he leave the team where he enjoyed one of the most dominant eras in F1?
His decision to leave came as a surprise to many, leaving Mercedes and ousting a high-performing Carlos Sainz to make room for the seven-time champion. For Hamilton, the calling to drive in the iconic red race suit of the Scuderia was too great to ignore.
To win here in his debut season with Ferrari would be an emphatic statement from the seven-time world champion; a statement of intent from a driver that has given so much to the sport of Formula 1, whose recent performances in a stuttering Mercedes have allowed other drivers to edge closer to the top of the pursuing pack.
Nowhere will Hamilton’s recruitment be more scrutinised than at Monza.
Monza’s Future, Ferrari’s Hope
Formula 1 continues to expand into new and emerging commercial markets, such as the United States and the Middle East, with the undeniable boost from Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive which has seen record viewership in recent seasons.
North America has become a key focus for the sport, with the addition of high-profile races in Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas drawing record crowds and new fans. While these modern circuits reflect Formula 1’s evolution into a global entertainment powerhouse, the enduring presence of legendary venues like Monza ensures that the sport retains its historical roots and cherished traditions.
The longevity of iconic tracks like Monza, Silverstone, and Monaco becomes even more significant for F1 purists; a promise of stability in a sport increasingly defined by change.
For Hamilton and Ferrari, it offers a decade-long stage on which to write their story—a story of speed, passion, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. In Hamilton, the tifosi have a new hero, ready to take on the challenge of lifting the prancing horse back to its rightful place atop the Formula 1 world. Monza awaits its next legend – and in Ferrari red, Hamilton will no doubt rise to the challenge.
