Being an Italian and racing at Monza is a special moment. Being an Italian and racing for Ferrari at Monza is everything.
The Tifosi are arguably the most passionate fans in motorsport as come in a sea of red to cheer on the prancing horse around of the world’s most historic tracks.
Two-time Formula 1 champion and home hero Alberto Ascari won twice for Ferrari at Monza in 1951 and 1952. Ludovico Scarfiotti remains the last Italian to win at the iconic circuit for Ferrari back in 1966.
One driver who recently got his chance as an Italian to race for the Maranello squad was Antonio Giovinazzi as he piloted the Ferrari 499P Hyercar in the World Endurance Championship.
Antonio Giovinazzi feels ‘pride’ racing for Ferrari as an Italian at Monza
Giovinazzi lined up for the Six Hours of Monza in 2023 alongside co-drivers James Calado and fellow compatriot Alessandro Pier Guidi.
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The No. 51 Ferrari finished the race in fifth, while the second car – the No. 50, driven by another Italian in Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen – got onto the podium with second place.
Speaking with journalist Junaid Samodien, Giovinazzi expressed the ‘pride’ he feels getting the opportunity to race for Ferrari as an Italian at Monza.
When asked what it feels like to drive the iconic circuit as a Ferrari driver, he said: “I’ve got a one-word answer – pride – because as an Italian you really feel the support of the Tifosi, right from Thursday when you arrive at the track, all the way through to Sunday night.
“All that affection pushes you to give the best of yourself and it’s as if the fans help you to find that final tenth.
“From the cockpit you see all that red in the grandstands and you feel you have to do well, for your team, for yourself, but above all for all the people who have come to watch the race and make their love and passion for Ferrari felt.”
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Antonio Giovinazzi had an underwhelming spell in Formula 1
Giovinazzi did not get the opportunity to race for Ferrari at Monza in F1, but he did with Alfa Romeo in his three years in the sport.
In what was a fairly forgettable F1 career for Giovinazzi, the 30-year-old finished in the points in 2019 with ninth, but failed to score in 2020 and 2021, finishing 16th and 13th respectively.
After leaving F1 and having a torrid season in Formula E in 2021/22, Giovinazzi moved to the WEC in 2023 with AF Corse, where he would go on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the first attempt.
He finished the season fourth in the standings and currently sits eighth in 2024 with three races of the season to go.