Lewis Hamilton’s most memorable Monza moments ahead of Ferrari debut at the ‘Temple of Speed’

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Lewis Hamilton is one of the most decorated Formula 1 drivers of all time, setting a number of records at the iconic Monza circuit during his 19-year career.

The Brit is gearing up for his debut at the track as a Ferrari driver in front of the team’s dedicated home crowd – the Tifosi.

Speaking in Thursday’s FIA press conference ahead of the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, Hamilton shared: ” I still have to pinch myself” ahead of his debut at the iconic ‘Temple of Speed’ as a Ferrari driver.

He also shared the “unique” experience of Tifosi in Monza, adding: “There are people outside the factory always. I’ve never seen fans outside of a factory before in any of my years, and you see that every single time. There’s just such a positive energy, clearly so much love for this brand and what it means to people.”

Despite the excitement around his debut, Hamilton starts this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix with a five-place grid penalty for going too fast under double-waved yellow flags during the formation lap of the Dutch Grand Prix.

Read More: 2025 Italian Grand Prix race predictions: F1 experts decide if Lewis Hamilton can achieve Ferrari glory in Monza

Lewis Hamilton holds an incredible speed record at Monza that might not be broken

Hamilton set the fastest lap in Formula 1 history during qualifying at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix, with an impressive time of 1:18.887, giving him an average speed of 164.267 mph around the lap.

He set the record in the F1 W11 EQ Performance, which dominated the season, with Hamilton winning 10 out of the 17 races and his teammate, Valtteri Bottas, claiming another five.

The record also beat the previous lap record, which was set by Kimi Raikkonen in 2018. The Finn had set a time of 1:19.119 in the Ferrari.

Hamilton’s lap record still stands at the circuit, with the potential to be broken in 2025; however, it could prove difficult.

Lewis Hamilton’s first Italian Grand Prix victory in Monza

It took Hamilton six seasons to take his first Italian Grand Prix, despite finishing runner-up to his teammate Fernando Alonso during his first season in 2007.

The Brit qualified on pole ahead of his McLaren teammate Jenson Button, who ended up retiring on lap 34 with a fuel pressure issue.

Hamilton only briefly lost the lead on lap 24 when he came in to pit, before retaking first place from Sergio Perez on lap 29.

The McLaren driver took the race win, ahead of Perez’s Sauber in second and the Ferrari of Alonso in third. Hamilton’s win was McLaren’s last Monza victory until Daniel Ricciardo finished first at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton hasn’t seen Monza glory since 2018

Hamilton’s last victory in Monza came in 2018, where he started from third on the grid. During the first lap, the Brit battled with Sebastian Vettel, with the pair colliding and the Ferrari driver spinning off.

Hamilton was not punished for the collision with the race stewards, classing it as a ‘racing incident’. The Mercedes driver then set his eyes on Raikkonen in first and began to close the gap.

After a battle with the Finn, Hamilton overtook him with seven laps remaining, driving around the outside of the Ferrari into the first chicane.

A true demonstration of Hamilton’s skill was shown in the remaining laps, when he pulled a gap of over 9 seconds between himself and Raikkonen when he crossed the line.

Hamilton Vs Verstappen at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix

2021 saw one of the most dramatic championship battles of recent times, with both Hamilton at Mercedes and Max Verstappen at Red Bull fighting for the title. Tensions were beginning to rise at the 14th race of the year, with Verstappen ahead by just three points.

Hamilton came into the pits on lap 25, but a slow stop saw him re-enter the track alongside Verstappen in third place, as they headed towards Turn 1. Despite being ahead, Hamilton squeezed his rival into Turn 2, resulting in Verstappen hitting the sausage kerb, making contact with the Mercedes and lifting the Red Bull over the top of the Brit.

The dramatic crash resulted in both cars being unable to continue the race and was Hamilton’s first DNF since the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix.

Records that Lewis Hamilton could break at the 2025 Italian Grand Prix

Not only does Hamilton hold the all-time fastest lap, which he could break with his Ferrari at the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, but there are a number of other records that he could claim at Monza.

Hamilton currently holds the record for most pole positions at the ‘Temple of Speed’, having taken seven in the last 19 years. He currently leads from Juan Manuel Fangio and Ayrton Senna who had both taken five pole positions at the circuit.

Another pole position would not only be his first for Ferrari and his first since the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, but would be his eighth at Monza. This would be his second-most podiums at a single track, joint with Australia and slightly behind his nine at the Hungaroring.

Hamilton could also become the first driver to set eight fastest laps at a single grand prix if he takes the feat at the 2025 Italian Grand Prix. The Brit currently has seven fastest laps, sharing the record with Michael Schumacher who has the same number at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Despite admitting at the Thursday press conference that he hadn’t thought about standing on the podium this weekend, if Hamilton wins the race, he will be the first driver to take six victories at Monza. He currently also shares this record with Schumacher, with the pair both taking five wins at the iconic circuit during their careers.