Today began the one hundred and forty days that will redevelop the Monza racetrack. The work began with the symbolic green light lit by the president of the Automobil Club Angelo Sticchi Damiani and the deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini on the straight of the circuit.
The objective, known for some time, is to propose the national autodrome as a structure in step with the times, an indispensable element for hosting the Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix after 2025, the date on which the current contract will expire. The timing leaves no room for unforeseen events, but there is general optimism regarding compliance with the agreements which provide for the closure of the construction sites at the end of June.
Photo by: Roberto Chinchero
Start of upgrade work in Monza
The works include the complete repaving of the circuit, the construction of a new underpass (plus the expansion of the three existing ones) and a series of grandstands with the standards strongly relied on by Formula 1.
“Our main aim is to bring the Autodromo back up to date – explained Sticchi Damiani regarding the underpasses – we can no longer afford to have problems with the outflow of fans and we must offer greater comfort to those who come to the circuit. We have set ourselves three objectives to best satisfy the requests made to us, and the first of these is the underpasses”.
“The second objective is related to the stands – continued the ACI president – we still have several with innocent tube structures, so we will create more solid structures capable of guaranteeing all the comforts in line with what a spectator expects today. Each grandstand will be an island with all the necessary services inside, so as not to force the public to travel.”
“Finally – concluded Sticchi Damiani – a permanent covering of the garage structure (currently consisting of a tensile structure) will be created. The support pillars will be reinforced because the structure will grow in height.”
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Stefano Domenicali, CEO, Formula 1
The last point is strongly supported by Formula 1, since it concerns the Paddock Club area. “For us it is an important objective – confirmed Stefano Domenicali, connected via videoconference – we must be able to receive our guests in an adequate structure and not more under a tent as it was until last year. In addition to this, there are obviously other interventions necessary for the future, Monza has a great tradition but we also need to look ahead and propose the racetrack to the level of other world championship tracks.”
Photo by: Roberto Chinchero
Sticchi Damiani starts the modernization work of Monza with the tricolor flag
Regarding the future of the Italian Grand Prix, Sticchi Damiani also explained the tangle of deadlines that will have to be unraveled in order to guarantee Monza a long-term contract.
“Our desire is to be able to obtain a renewal that can guarantee the Italian Grand Prix in Monza until 2030 and beyond – he explained – we have seen that the orientation of Formula 1 is to sign very long agreements, but in our case there will first be a technical/administrative problem to resolve”.
“In 2028 the current concession (of the Lombadria Region to the ACI) will expire, so a derogation will be needed, but I believe the problem can be overcome. Then, obviously, there will be the financial problem to deal with. Monza today can count on a very favorable status compared to other Grands Prix, but from 2026 I believe we will have to align ourselves with the other European circuits. We will have to be able to compensate for these increases in spending with greater revenue, and this translates into the need to offer a better service capable of satisfying a more demanding”.
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