The Italian Grand Prix is the fourteenth Grand Prix in the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship season and is due to take place on the weekend of the 10th to the 12th of September 2010 at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza in Italy. If you’re planning to go to the race, here is some information about the circuit and some of the area’s other attractions.
Monza Overview
Monza is situated about 20km to the north of Milan, in Italy. Although its best known as the location of the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, it also has a number of historic attractions, and is within easy reach of the famous Italian lakes, Lake Como, Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore.
Getting to Monza
The easiest way to get to Monza is to fly to Milan and then hire a car and drive to Monza. It will take you about about 40 minutes to drive to Monza. You can’t drive within Monza Park, so you’ll need to park your hire car nearby and then either walk or take a shuttle bus to the circuit. Alternatively, you can travel between Milan and Monza by rail.
Autodromo Nazionale di Monza
The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza is situated in Monza Park, in Monza, and first opened in 1922. The second ever Italian Grand Prix was held there on the 10th of September that year (the 1921 Italian Grand Prix having been held at Brescia). The track has undergone many changes since then, partly due a number of fatal accidents that occurred there.
The current circuit is 5.793 km long and the Formula 1 drivers aim to complete 53 laps of it. There are 11 main turns and two main straights, and highlights of the circuit include the Variante Ascari chicane and the Cruva Parabolica.
Camping and Hotels
If you want to immerse yourself in the Grand Prix atmosphere, the best way to do so is to camp at one of campsites near the Monza circuit. You can camp at Monza’s temporary Grand Prix Village, which has electricity, water and chemical toilets, or at the permanent campsite in the north of Monza Park, which has additional facilities, including a bar and shop.
There are also a number of hotels within Monza. For a really luxurious break, you could try the Hotel de la Ville, a 4-star hotel situated just outside of Monza Park, facing the Royal Palace. The hotel has 70 rooms and suites, 63 of which are in the main hotel building and seven of which are in an adjacent restored villa. Facilities within the Hotel de la Ville include the Derby Grill and the American Bar.
Other hotels in Monza include the AS Hotel Monza, the Hotel della Regione and the Hotel Royal Falcone. You’ll also find a wide range of hotels to choose from in Milan, should you wish to base yourself there instead.
Nearby Attractions
If you want to extend your stay, you’ll find plenty to see and do in the Monza area. Attractions within Monza include the 18th century Villa Reale, and Monza Cathedral.
You could also travel to the nearby Italian Lakes (Lake Como, Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore), and spend some time exploring this beautiful part of the country. You can learn more about the attractions around Lake Como by reading our guide to taking a driving tour in the area.
Alternatively, you could extend your trip by spending some time in Milan. The city’s attractions include the Duomo (Milan’s Cathedral), the Teatro della Scala (opera house) and many museums and galleries, such as the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology, the Pinacoteca di Brera, and the Natural Science Museum. Milan is also known as one of the world’s fashion capitals, and you’ll find a host of designer-name stores.
Essential Information
Monza is an hour ahead of the U.K. and the currency used in Italy is the euro.
Image: Wikicommons
Tags: Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Hotel de la Ville, Italian Grand Prix, Italy, Lake Como, Milan, Monza, Monza Cathedral, Monza Park, Villa Reale
