Few races carry the weight of F1 history like the Italian Grand Prix. Only Silverstone sits alongside it. Since its first running in 1921, the event has become the Temple of Speed, with its permanent home at Monza. The long straights, the slipstreaming battles and the roar of the Tifosi have combined to create some of Formula One’s most iconic moments.
Since the start of the World Championship in 1950, the race has almost always been held at the legendary Autodromo Nazionale Monza, with the sole exception of 1980, which was held at Imola.
What To Know?
- Monza is almost ever present: Every Formula One Italian Grand Prix since 1950 has been held at Autodromo Nazionale Monza except for 1980, which took place at Imola. The Temple of Speed is one of the most enduring venues in world motorsport.
- Record winning driver: Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton share the record for most Italian Grand Prix victories in the World Championship era, underlining their dominance across different generations.
- Closest finish in F1 history: The 1971 race was won by Peter Gethin by just 0.01 seconds, the smallest winning margin ever recorded in Formula One.
- Ferrari’s emotional stronghold: No constructor is more synonymous with Monza than Scuderia Ferrari, with iconic home victories from Alberto Ascari to Charles Leclerc fueling some of the most passionate podium scenes in the sport.
List of Every Italian Grand Prix Winner
Italian Grand Prix Winners: 1950s
The championship era began at Monza in 1950 with Giuseppe Farina taking victory for Alfa Romeo. It was a fitting start. An Italian driver, in an Italian car, winning his home Grand Prix.
Ferrari soon asserted itself through Alberto Ascari, who won back-to-back races in 1951 and 1952. His dominance cemented Ferrari’s emotional bond with the Italian crowd.
The mid 1950s belonged largely to Juan Manuel Fangio, who won at Monza with both Maserati and Mercedes. His 1953 triumph was particularly tight, underlining Monza’s reputation for slipstream finishes.
British talent emerged later in the decade. Stirling Moss claimed three Italian Grand Prix wins across the 1950s, showcasing the tactical nous required on Monza’s high-speed layout.
Italian Grand Prix Winners: 1960s
The 1960s opened with American success. Phil Hill won in both 1960 and 1961 for Ferrari, the latter season overshadowed by tragedy at Monza.
British drivers flourished as the decade progressed. Jim Clark dominated in 1963 for Lotus, while John Surtees delivered Ferrari victory in 1964. Surtees remains unique as a world champion on both two- and four-wheels.
The slipstream battles reached their peak toward the end of the decade. The 1969 race, won by Jackie Stewart, featured one of the closest finishes in Formula One history, a four-car train separated by fractions of a second.
Italian Grand Prix Winners: 1970s
Monza’s reputation for photo finishes was sealed in 1971 when Peter Gethin won by just 0.01 seconds in a five-car dash to the line. It remains the closest finish in F1 history.
The decade also saw victories for champions such as Emerson Fittipaldi and the mercurial Ronnie Peterson, who won three times at Monza.
Ferrari’s home glory returned in 1979 when Jody Scheckter sealed victory in a season that would bring him the world title.
Italian Grand Prix Winners: 1980s
The 1980 race moved to Imola and was won by Nelson Piquet, but Monza returned to the calendar the following year.
The turbo era produced repeat winners such as Alain Prost and Piquet. Yet the most emotional moment came in 1988 when Gerhard Berger led a Ferrari 1-2 just weeks after Enzo Ferrari’s death, handing McLaren its only defeat of that season.
Italian Grand Prix Winners: 1990s
The early 1990s saw victories for Ayrton Senna, whose precision suited Monza’s flowing rhythm.
Williams enjoyed success with Damon Hill, but it was Michael Schumacher who defined the latter half of the decade. His 1996 win for Ferrari ended a long drought for the Scuderia at home and triggered scenes of celebration beneath the podium.
Italian Grand Prix Winners: 2000s
The new millennium began with Schumacher again, his 2000 victory carrying deep emotion as he equalled Ayrton Senna’s career win tally.
There were standout performances from Juan Pablo Montoya and a shock pole to flag win in wet conditions for Sebastian Vettel in 2008 with Toro Rosso, one of the sport’s great underdog stories.
In 2009, Rubens Barrichello delivered victory for Brawn GP in a season that rewrote expectations.
Italian Grand Prix Winners: 2010s
The hybrid era saw sustained dominance from Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton claiming multiple wins between 2012 and 2018 and Nico Rosberg adding his name in 2016.
Ferrari’s most emotional moment of the decade arrived in 2019 when Charles Leclerc resisted intense pressure to win for the Scuderia in front of a sea of red.
Italian Grand Prix Winners: 2020 to Today
The 2020 race produced one of the biggest surprises in modern F1 when Pierre Gasly claimed a dramatic maiden win for AlphaTauri.
In 2021, Daniel Ricciardo led a McLaren 1-2, evoking memories of the team’s past Monza glory.
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Recent seasons have been shaped by Max Verstappen, whose victories in 2022, 2023 and 2025 underline Red Bull’s supremacy. Ferrari responded in 2024 with Leclerc, ensuring that Monza remains a stage for both dominance and defiance.
A Race That Defines Speed
From Farina in 1950 to Verstappen in 2025, the Italian Grand Prix has reflected every era of Formula One. It has produced heartbreak, photo finishes and emotional home victories. Above all, it has remained true to its identity as the fastest and most passionate stop on the calendar. Every winner becomes part of a lineage that stretches back more than a century, and every September the Temple of Speed adds another name to its roll of honour.
More F1 Race Winners
From Adelaide to Silverstone to Monza and Spa, we chart the full story of every F1 winner from each event’s first race to the last.
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