Formula 1: Italian Grand Prix confirmed at Monza through at least 2024
By Asher Fair
The Italian Grand Prix is set to continue to be held at Autodromo Nazionale Monza through at least the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Formula 1 and the Automobile Club d’Italia have reached an agreement to keep the Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo Nazionale Monza for at least another five years through the 2024 season.
The 2020 schedule was already revealed last week, and it featured an all-time record 22 races. That said, the Italian Grand Prix at the 11-turn, 3.600-mile (5.794-kilometer) Autodromo Nazionale Monza road course in Monza, Italy was the lone race that was still subject to the signing of a new contract at the time the schedule was released.
Autodromo Nazionale Monza, also known as the “Temple of Speed”, has hosted the Italian Grand Prix in all but one of the first 69 seasons of Formula 1 going back to 1950, and it is scheduled to host the race for the 69th time this Sunday, September 8 as well.
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The only season in which the Italian Grand Prix was not held at the track was the 1980 season when it was held at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola.
Following the 1980 season, the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari became the official host of the San Marino Grand Prix, as there were two races in Italy from that point forward. It was later removed from the Formula 1 schedule following the 2006 season, and it has not been back since.
Here is what Formula 1 chairman and CEO Chase Carey had to say about the Italian Grand Prix returning to Autodromo Nazionale Monza for at least another five seasons, according to Formula 1.
"“We are really pleased to have reached an agreement with the ACI which ensures the Italian Grand Prix will remain on the FIA Formula 1 World Championship calendar until at least 2024. This is one of four Grands Prix that were part of the 1950 championship and still features in the calendar and along with the British Grand Prix, it is the only one to have been held every year since then.“History, speed and passion are words that motorsport fans associate with Monza. The feeling one gets at this Grand Prix is truly unique, as is the circuit’s distinctive podium. I would like to thank the ACI, especially its President, Angelo Sticchi Damiani for its efforts and this five-year deal means that another part of the jigsaw for the Formula 1 of the future, is now in place.“The championship features many historic venues such as Monza and also new countries in which the already vast fan-base of our sport can grow. For now, we can look forward to what is bound to be another great race this weekend, as we prepare for the FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO HEINEKEN D’ITALIA 2020 and in the years to come.”"
Here is what Automobile Club d’Italia president Angelo Sticchi Damiani had to add.
"“It is just like winning a Formula 1 Grand Prix, a very hard and important one, fought to the finish line – which counts as not one but five titles!“It’s with great satisfaction that I welcome the conclusion of the agreement between ACI and Formula 1, which guarantees the inclusion, for the next five years, of the Italian Grand Prix in the calendar of the Formula 1 World Championship, and ensures that the event will take place in the ‘Temple of speed’: the Monza Eni Circuit, not only the oldest but also the fastest and most spectacular circuit of the whole motorsport.“A great outcome for ACI, for Monza, for the Lombardy Region and Italian sport in general, which opens up a five-year perspective to build a future that matches the legendary past that has made Monza a world capital of motorsport. It was a challenging journey to get to this outcome and is one of those race victories that makes us forget every risk, every effort, and leaves inside a great joy and an uncontrollable desire to celebrate.”"
This weekend’s Italian Grand Prix is the 14th of 21 races on the 2019 Formula 1 schedule, and it is scheduled to take place this Sunday, September 8. ESPN2 is set to broadcast this race live from Autodromo Nazionale Monza beginning at 9:05 a.m. ET.