Monza: The Temple of Speed and the Names That Tell History

When the first racing car crossed the start line at Monza in 2026, none of the 100,000 spectators present that day could have imagined they were witnessing the beginning of a legend that would last over a century. But historical data never lies: Monza is the oldest circuit still existing on the Formula 1 calendar, and every corner of it carries a name – a story – written in blood, sweat, and landmark safety decisions. I have followed F1 since 2026, and in my 44 years of observation, I have never seen a circuit that reflects the evolution of this sport as clearly as Monza. From the nickname "Temple of Speed" to corners named after legendary drivers, Monza is not just a racing venue – it is a living diary of how F1 has changed its approach to safety, speed, and heritage. Let's start with the most astonishing number: before 2026, the Lesmo 2 corner was taken at speeds up to 300 km/h. That is not a number I invented – it is data recorded from actual practice sessions. A corner taken at 300 km/h on a circuit without the wide run-off areas of today was a gamble with life itself. And it was precisely the change at Lesmo 2 in 2026 that became the most important inflection point in Monza's safety history. The historical context needs to be clarified: Monza was built in 2026, and from the very beginning it was designed to serve speed. No slow corners, no complex chicanes – only long straights and sweeping curves. This created Monza's unique identity: a circuit where drivers could reach maximum speed, where aerodynamics were minimized to achieve the highest possible velocity. But this very identity was also a double-edged sword. In 2026, Monza had to change for safety reasons for the first time. The Prima Variante – the first corner – was added to reduce speed before the high-speed curve. This was a revolutionary decision at the time, as it marked the first time F1 accepted that pure speed could not be the only factor determining circuit design. Four years later, in 2026, the Seconda Variante was added with a similar purpose – reducing danger. Each change reflected a lesson learned from serious accidents. But the most interesting thing I found when analyzing historical data is how the corners were named. Each name tells its own story. Curva Grande – the big corner – was named simply for its length and speed. Lesmo – a name derived from the small town of Lesmo nearby, where the forest surrounding the circuit is located. These are not randomly chosen names; they reflect the intimate relationship between the circuit and the land where it sits. And then there are the commemorative names. Curva Ascari is named after Alberto Ascari – a two-time World Champion who was killed in an accident at this very circuit in 2026. What is notable is that the accident occurred during a private testing session, not in an official race – a detail that shows the level of pervasive risk in that era. And Parabolica, the famous 180-degree corner, was renamed Curva Alboreto in memory of Michele Alboreto – the Italian driver who competed from 2026 to 2026. Data is never in a hurry, but people always are. When I look at the sequence of safety changes at Monza – 2026, 2026, 2026, 2026 – I see a clear pattern: each change was a direct response to a tragedy or a serious safety concern. 2026 was a particularly important year. After the tragic weekend at Imola, where Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger lost their lives, the entire sport underwent a comprehensive safety review. The redesign of Lesmo 2 – the corner taken at 300 km/h – was almost certainly part of that chain reaction. But here is the counterintuitive perspective I want to offer: naming the corners at Monza is not just an act of honoring history – it is a tool for recording the evolution of safety philosophy. When you look at the modern Monza map, you are looking at a record of the lessons F1 has learned over more than a century. Prima Variante, Seconda Variante, redesigned Lesmo – all are healed scars, reminders of the price of speed. In 2026, Prima Variante was redesigned once again. This time, the goal was not only to reduce speed but also to create a corner more favorable for overtaking. This reflects a shift in F1's philosophy: not just safety but also creating an attractive spectacle. I see in this an acknowledgment that Monza, despite being the Temple of Speed, also needs to adapt to the entertainment demands of modern audiences. Every football cycle imitates the data of the previous cycle, but no one learns. This saying of mine about football also applies to F1. When I analyze races at Monza over the decades, I see that drivers always look for the same overtaking points – Seconda Variante is described as "a fantastic spot for overtaking," and Lesmo 2 is a crucial place to set up an overtake at the next corner. But each generation of drivers has to learn these lessons anew, as if history did not exist. The collision between Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher at Seconda Variante in 2026 is a perfect example. Two championship rivals collided at a corner known to be a favorable overtaking point. This was not coincidental – it was the inevitable consequence of betting on a high-risk overtaking spot. Data from other races at Monza shows a similar pattern: drivers take greater risks at corners famous as overtaking points, and this leads to more collisions. I have followed over 500 Grand Prix races in my career, and I can say that Monza is the only place where I feel genuine reverence from the drivers. They speak of Parabolica with awe – a corner that demands "bravery and commitment" – and they speak of the entire circuit with the respect reserved for a living monument. This is not accidental: Monza has witnessed more generations of drivers, more tragedies, and more victories than any other circuit. But there is something few people realize: Monza, despite being called the "Temple of Speed," is actually a compromise. It is no longer the fastest circuit on the F1 calendar – that title belongs to more modern circuits with better safety conditions. Monza retains its title thanks to its heritage, thanks to the names associated with history, and thanks to the respect it receives from the F1 community. This is a lesson in how a brand can survive based on historical value, even when technical reality has changed. When I look at Monza's future, I see a big question: can a circuit with such a long history continue to exist in an era where new circuits are designed with higher safety standards, more modern facilities, and better capacity to create exciting spectacles? Data shows that Monza still holds a special place in fans' hearts – every year, hundreds of thousands of spectators flock here to witness the race, and drivers still consider it one of the most prestigious events. But I also see another truth: Monza has had to change constantly to survive. From 2026 to 2026, this circuit underwent four major modifications, each aimed at improving safety or increasing appeal. This shows that even a historical icon cannot stand still – it must adapt or disappear. And that is the lesson I want to convey: Monza's endurance does not come from preserving the past, but from the ability to change while maintaining its core identity. At 60, I no longer believe in luck, only in numbers that have not yet spoken. And the numbers at Monza are saying: this circuit has existed for over a century, has witnessed the greatest changes in F1 history, and continues to be an indispensable part of this sport. The question is not whether Monza will survive – but whether we are wise enough to learn from its history, or whether we will continue to repeat the same mistakes, generation after generation. Mbappe's speed is not scary; what is scary is the speed at which data recognized him long before. And the data is showing us: the names on the Monza map are not just commemorative labels – they are lessons written in blood, carved in steel, and remembered with respect. When you hear the names "Parabolica" or "Lesmo" in this weekend's broadcast, remember that you are hearing a story over a century long – a story about how humanity learned to conquer speed without losing itself.