F1 arrives at the Temple of Speed this weekend for the Italian Grand Prix as Max Verstappen aims to make it 10 wins in a row. The Dutchman will be favourite to complete the unprecedented feat given his and Red Bull's dominance at all tracks and in all conditions. The chasing pack was shuffled once again at Zandvoort last weekend, with Aston Martin and Alpine joining Verstappen on the podium. But before the racing action gets under way at Monza, RacingNews365.com looks at some of the best stats and facts ahead of the weekend.
Temple of Speed
The fastest race in F1 history was held at Monza, with Michael Schumacher winning the 2003 event for Ferrari. The record can be beaten if this year's winner completes the 53-lap race in under 1:14:19.838.
Worse than Monaco?
Despite the fast and open nature of the Italian venue, pole position is statistically more important at Monza than it is at Monaco. Of the past 23 winners of the Italian Grand Prix, 15 have come when starting on pole whilst only 13 have won from the front around the twisting streets of the Principality in the same time period.
Monza curse?
If Verstappen is to secure his record of 10 race wins in a row, he will have to overcome the Monza curse. The past three winners before the Dutchman secured victory last term have all failed to finish the following season's event. Charles Leclerc won in 2019 before crashing out a year later, whilst 2020 winner Pierre Gasly endured a nightmare Sprint weekend in 2021. Daniel Ricciardo ground to a halt in the closing stages last season having emerged victorious for McLaren in 2021.
Ferrari woes
Ferrari enters its home race weekend off the back of a difficult Dutch Grand Prix where neither driver was particularly happy with the SF-23. Leclerc's retirement at Zandvoort through damage was his third DNF of the season, tying Alpine's Esteban Ocon for the most non-finishes this season and highlighting the Scuderia's struggles.
World champions show class
There are only three former World Champions on the F1 grid this term: Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton and their class has shone through. After 13 rounds of the campaign, the trio are the only drivers to have scored in each Grand Prix.
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