Welcome to the Monza F1 24 Track Guide!
Discover how to master the legendary Monza circuit, officially known as the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. This guide will provide a detailed breakdown of each sector, corner-by-corner tips, previous pole lap benchmarks, and essential car setup advice. Famous for its high-speed straights, iconic chicanes, and deep motorsport history, Monza is one of the most challenging and exhilarating tracks on the Formula 1 calendar. Whether you’re a seasoned sim racer or new to the sport, this Monza track guide will help you conquer the Italian Grand Prix. With its combination of breathtaking speed and technical sections, Monza demands precision, strategy, and perfect timing.
Circuit Overview
- Location: Monza, Italy
- Length: 5.793 km (3.600 miles)
- Corners: 11
- DRS Zones: 2
- Layout: A high-speed, historic circuit with long straights, iconic chicanes, and a mix of tight and flowing corners.
- Surface: Smooth asphalt with high grip levels, offering excellent traction.
- Unique Feature: Monza is famous for its low downforce setup demands and relentless pace, making it a true test of both speed and stability. The track’s long straights and challenging braking zones create opportunities for overtaking and strategic racing.
Sector 1: Turns 1-3
- Turn 1-2 (Rettifilo chicane):
The lap begins with a high-speed approach to Turn 1, brake hard and shift down quickly, be cautious not to brake too late. You want to clip the inside kerb and quickly transition into turn 2 and clip this kerb, be sure to get back on to the throttle smoothly to get a clean exit onto the long straight. - Turn 3: (Curva Grande):
This is a long sweeping right hander, build momentum slowly and have smooth steering inputs to avoid scrubbing speed. Stay over to the right hand side to set you up for the next chicane.
Sector 2: Turns 4-7
- Turn 4-5: (Variante Della Roggia):
This left-right chicane can be tricky to master, but you can attack the kerbs here, avoid the sausage kerbs as they can unsettle the car and either send you into the gravel trap or damage your underfloor. Use all the track on corner exit and run your wheels along the top edge of the kerb for maximum lap time. - Turn 6 (Curva Di Lesmo):
The first Lesmo is a medium speed right hander, a quick dab of brakes and shift down to 5th gear, turn in and clip the apex, the corner cambers here so you can use this to your advantage, don’t ride to much of the inside kerb as this will unsettle the rear end, use all the track on exit but don’t run to wide. - Turn 7 (Curva Di Lesmo 2):
The second Lesmo corner, is another medium speed right-hander that can be taken in 5th, it requires careful balance. Brake precisely and stay tight to the apex on turn in. Carry as much speed as you can through the corner to maximize your momentum into the upcoming straight.
Sector 3: Turns 8-11
- Turn 8-9-10 (Variante Ascari):
Entering the Ascari chicane requires commitment and precision, it is a high-speed left-right-left chicane. Use the kerbs but don’t overuse them, as they can unsettle the car. Keep your throttle steady, and focus on maintaining momentum through the sequence of corners. Avoid running wide on the exit of turn 10 as this will void any lap with track limits. If this sequence of corners is done correctly you can gain loads of lap time. - Turn 11 (Curva Parabolica):
This is the final corner before the long start/finish straight so getting a good entry and exit out of this corner is critical for a good lap. Brake slightly and focus on getting a smooth entry, aim for the apex but don’t touch it as this will unsettle the rear end, increase throttle input smoothly to avoid oversteer, this is critical for your speed down the straight. Use the full width of the track, maintaining a clean line, to maximize the time gained through this corner.
Full Qualifying Lap
In this section, you’ll find my full Monza F1 24 qualifying lap video, where I push the limits of precision and speed to challenge myself against real-world qualifying lap times. Feel the rush as I navigate Monza’s legendary corners, including Retifilo Tribune, the Ascari chicane, and the high-speed Curva Parabolica. Watch as I aim to match the best drivers in Formula 1 and tackle this iconic circuit with a perfect blend of skill and strategy. Experience the excitement and precision required to master Monza and witness how my lap compares to the real-world pole time. Immerse yourself in the thrill of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the true temple of speed.
Previous Pole Lap Times at Monza Grand Prix
Here are the pole lap times for the Monza Grand Prix in recent years, showcasing the incredible speed and precision required to master this legendary circuit.
- 2024 Pole Lap: Lando Norris – 1:19.327
- 2023 Pole Lap: Carlos Sainz – 1:20.294
- 2022 Pole Lap: Charles Leclerc – 1:20.161
- 2021 Pole Lap: Valtteri Bottas – 1:19.555
- 2020 Pole Lap: Lewis Hamilton – 1:18.887
Personal Lap Reflection
Monza, the iconic Temple of Speed, has witnessed some of the greatest races in Formula 1 history, and racing here has always been a thrill. With its high-speed straights and technical corners, Monza requires a unique approach. For this lap, I opted for an extremely low downforce setup to maximize straight-line speed, and it paid off in spades on the long straights.
Even with this low downforce configuration, I was still able to carry impressive speed through the corners. The Ascari chicane, in particular, allowed me to gain crucial time, and getting through there with precision helped me shave off valuable seconds.
Monza is a track known for its overtaking opportunities, and this setup helped me take full advantage of those moments. However, it’s important to note that Monza is a true “old school” circuit, where running wide can easily send you into the gravel trap. So, precision is essential to maximising every lap around this legendary track.
Monza F1 24 Setup
For my Monza F1 24 Grand Prix qualifying lap, I used a setup tailored to maximize straight-line speed while maintaining stability through Monza’s high-speed corners and technical chicanes. This setup is designed for a 35% race distance with 100 AI difficulty, striking a balance between low downforce for speed on the straights and enough stability for key corners like Ascari. It requires no mid-session adjustments, such as brake bias or differential changes, allowing for a seamless driving experience. This “set it and forget it” approach ensures that you can focus on pushing your lap time without worrying about tweaks during the session. It’s a reliable, race-ready setup for tackling the legendary Monza circuit.
| Aerodynamics | Front wing | 7 |
| Rear wing | 0 | |
| Transmission | Differential on-throttle | 80% |
| Differential off-throttle | 30% | |
| Engine braking | 80% | |
| Suspension Geometry | Front camber | -3.50 |
| Rear camber | -2.20 | |
| Front toe-out | 0.00 | |
| Rear toe-in | 0.02 | |
| Suspension | Front suspension | 32 |
| Rear suspension | 2 | |
| Front anti-roll bar | 21 | |
| Rear anti-roll bar | 17 | |
| Front ride height | 20 | |
| Rear ride height | 50 | |
| Brakes | Brake pressure | 100% |
| Front brake bias | 55% | |
| Tyres | Front right tyre pressure | 23.0psi |
| Front left tyre pressure | 27.0psi | |
| Rear right tyre pressure | 24.0psi | |
| Rear left tyre pressure | 26.5psi |
Memorable Moments of the Monza Grand Prix
- Schumacher Wins Over the Tifosi (1996):
Michael Schumacher’s arrival at Ferrari in 1996 wasn’t initially embraced by the tifosi, who missed the charisma of previous heroes like Gilles Villeneuve and Jean Alesi. However, after surprising wins in Spain and Belgium, Schumacher proved himself. He sealed his place in Ferrari history with a victory at Monza on his first attempt, igniting ecstatic celebrations. “Below me was a sea of red… it gave me goosebumps,” Schumacher said, reflecting on the overwhelming emotions of the tifosi that day. - Vettel’s Wet-Weather Victory (2008):
In a race that no one expected a Toro Rosso to win, Sebastian Vettel defied the odds at the 2008 Monza Grand Prix. After securing a shock pole in the rain on Saturday, the 21-year-old German delivered a flawless drive on a drenched Sunday, comfortably outpacing his rivals. Vettel became the youngest-ever Formula 1 winner at the time, making history in just his first victory. “This is the best day of my life,” he said, overwhelmed by the achievement. - Leclerc’s Emotional Pole and Win (2019):
Charles Leclerc’s pole and victory at the 2019 Italian Grand Prix was a landmark moment in F1 history, filled with raw emotion. It marked Leclerc’s first-ever career win, and the passionate Ferrari tifosi, who had been waiting for a home victory for so long, were ecstatic. The win not only cemented Leclerc’s place as a rising star but also gave Ferrari fans a reason to celebrate on the hallowed grounds of Monza, making it an unforgettable day for the Scuderia. - Pierre Gasly’s Maiden Win (2020):
The 2020 Italian Grand Prix is unforgettable, with Pierre Gasly securing an unlikely victory for Alpha Tauri. Starting from 10th, Gasly benefited from a perfect pit stop under the safety car and took the lead when Lewis Hamilton was penalized for entering the pit lane when it was closed. Gasly’s victory marked his first-ever win and one of the most surprising moments in recent F1 history. - Hamilton and Verstappen Collide, McLaren Seizes Victory (2021):
The 2021 Italian Grand Prix saw a dramatic turn of events as Lewis Hamilton’s race ended in the gravel trap with Max Verstappen’s Red Bull perched on top of his Mercedes. The collision occurred as Hamilton exited the pits following a tyre stop, with Verstappen—who had suffered a slow stop—coming out just ahead. The delay on Verstappen’s pit stop meant Hamilton could catch him if he pitted immediately, leading to the two title rivals going wheel-to-wheel into Turn 1. Contact was inevitable, and Verstappen’s car was launched over Hamilton’s, with his rear wheel striking the Mercedes’ cockpit. Thankfully, the Halo device played a crucial role in preventing a far more serious accident.
Meanwhile, McLaren capitalized on the chaos, securing a stunning 1-2 finish with Daniel Ricciardo leading Lando Norris, marking McLaren’s first victory in almost a decade.
Conclusion
Monza, the legendary “Temple of Speed,” remains one of the most iconic and exhilarating circuits in Formula 1. With its high-speed straights, challenging chicanes, and rich history, it offers a thrilling challenge for both drivers and sim racers alike. Whether you’re aiming for pole position or battling through the race, a precise and balanced setup is crucial to navigate the demanding corners and capitalize on the track’s overtaking opportunities. By mastering Monza’s unique rhythm, you can enjoy a rewarding and unforgettable experience. With this guide, you now have the tools to conquer one of F1’s most revered tracks, and perhaps even emulate the heroes of Monza’s storied past. Happy racing!
I put together this track guide using my trusty Fanatec GT DD Pro 8Nm racing wheel paired with the F1 Esports V2 rim, along with modded CSL pedals for that extra responsiveness. I race on the PS5, seated comfortably in my modified Playseat Challenge. To elevate my performance even further, I gear up with specialized gloves and boots that provide the perfect grip and feel. This setup has truly enhanced my control and precision on the track, making every racing session not just competitive, but incredibly enjoyable!
“Looking for more tips and in-depth guides? Check out my YouTube channel for detailed walkthroughs, pole lap videos, and setup insights for every track. Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest updates and sim racing content!”
Disclaimer: Please note that these are affiliate links, and I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.