The history and meaning behind Monza’s corners From Prima Variante to Parabolica

Monza is special for many reasons. Among them is the fact that, even in the modern era, the circuit has managed to preserve the official names of its corners. Most of the Formula 1 calendar is made up of circuits where the sequence of corners is marked simply by numbers. The Italian Grand Prix, however, has preserved its history and traditions, allowing the legends of the circuit to live on forever.

Prima Variante

In this case, there is no particular meaning behind the name: it simply refers to the first sequence of corners after the main straight. It consists of a 90-degree right-hander followed by a second, tighter corner turning left. Here, drivers face heavy braking, going from more than 300 km/h to around 70 km/h in just a few hundred metres. It is one of the circuit's main overtaking opportunities and, consequently, one of the places where most incidents occur.

Curva Biassono

Here, the word “corner” is used simply because the circuit takes a slight turn to the right, so much so that drivers can take this section flat-out. The name comes from the nearby town of Biassono and was adopted in 1972, replacing the original name, Curva Grande.

Variante della Roggia

In this case, the story behind the name follows the opposite path. Today, this left-right chicane is officially known as the Seconda Variante, but in the collective imagination it has retained its original name, linked to the Roggia, a small watercourse that once ran near the corner. As with the first chicane, drivers arrive here at top speed before being forced into heavy braking.

Prima e Seconda Curva di Lesmo

One of the circuit's most iconic sections, two corners taken in quick succession. The first is a right-hander located just a few hundred metres after the exit of the Variante della Roggia. The second is also a right-hander, positioned around 200 metres further on. Overtaking is almost impossible here, but drivers need to hit the apex perfectly in order to carry as much speed as possible onto the straight leading towards the Curva del Serraglio.

The name of these two corners refers to Lesmo, a small town located near the circuit. The official name of the Prima di Lesmo was originally Curva delle Querce, as it was surrounded by woodland; the name was changed in 1927. The Seconda Curva di Lesmo was initially known as Curva dei 100 Metri and later as Curva del Bosco dei Cervi.

Curva del Serraglio

The name of the corner tells a story from Monza's past. It comes from the nearby Serraglio, the King's former hunting lodge, where various animals were once kept. On the track itself, however, it is barely perceptible: a very gentle left-hand bend with an extremely wide radius of more than 600 metres. On exit, the straight continues beneath the track, passing under the Northern Banking of the high-speed oval.

Variante Ascari

The circuit's most iconic section. Three corners, left-right-left, taken in rapid succession before feeding onto the straight opposite the pits. The name, adopted in 1955, is a tribute to Alberto Ascari, who lost his life that same year following an accident in this very area of the track. Originally, it was known as Curva del Platano or Vialone.

Parabolica

The final corner of the circuit, which, as its name suggests, follows a parabolic trajectory that leads onto the main straight. The opening section is the tightest, while the exit gradually opens up. The name Parabolica was adopted in 1955, when this section of the track was rebuilt. Since September 2021, however, its official name has been Curva Alboreto, in memory of Michele Alboreto, the former Ferrari driver who died in 2001 following an accident during a test session.