The Most Iconic Duels In Previous Monza Races

With the Italian Grand Prix behind us, it is interesting to see that the man who was leading the odds has Italian blood. Australian Oscar Piastri was narrowly ahead of Lando Norris in the betting, with Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc following. After another action-packed event at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, we can say we saw an exciting race that comes shoulder to shoulder with some previous iconic duels.

Piastri didn’t make it to first place in this race, though. He finished third, with Verstappen opening the champagne after the last lap, and Norris coming second. However, Piastri still currently sits on top of the 2025 season standings, having earned 324 points from his 7 wins and 14 podium finishes. There is a relatively large gap between Norris in second place on 293 points and Verstappen in third on 230. This makes the short odds on the two favorites a little more understandable, but F1 fans can check out Adventure Gamers for some of the best crypto betting sites with competitive odds and sign-up bonuses that can increase winnings.

Some of the most memorable Monza duels that spring to mind include 1971’s competition between Peter Gethin and Ronnie Peterson. The race ended as the closest in F1 history as the two drivers finished with just 0.01 seconds between them. British racing legend Nigel Mansell was also involved in an exciting battle with Nelson Piquet, which saw Piquet show courage with an inside move at the Curva Grande.

Gethin vs Peterson, 1971

The 1971 Italian Grand Prix remains etched into history as the closest finish ever seen in Formula 1. Peter Gethin edged Ronnie Peterson across the line by just 0.01 seconds, a margin so small it could hardly be seen with the naked eye. Monza’s long straights and slipstreaming opportunities turned the race into a constant exchange of positions, with multiple cars in the lead battle and overtakes happening almost every lap.

That year, the layout of Monza still lacked the modern chicanes, which made top speeds even higher and braking zones less severe. Drivers relied heavily on raw drafting ability, timing their moves in the final corners to slingshot past their rivals before the finish line. Gethin’s victory was not just about pace but about choosing the right moment, holding off Peterson by a fraction of a second after more than an hour of relentless racing.

The result also spoke volumes about the unpredictability of Monza. Five cars were separated by less than a second at the finish, underlining just how chaotic and thrilling the Temple of Speed could be. This duel is still referenced today when people talk about the circuit’s unique ability to create slipstream battles that no other track can replicate.

Mansell vs Piquet, 1986

In 1986, Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet, teammates at Williams, found themselves in one of Monza’s most dramatic intra-team fights. The two drivers were both in contention for the world championship, and neither was prepared to back down. Their duel at Curva Grande was particularly memorable, with Piquet making an audacious inside move at speeds approaching 180 mph, leaving Mansell with little room to respond.

This was an era where team orders were far less enforced, and drivers often fought each other with the same intensity as they did their rivals. Mansell and Piquet’s fight reflected the tension within Williams at the time, where having two world-class drivers in equal machinery created constant friction. Each wanted to prove supremacy not just to the fans but to the team itself, knowing that every point mattered in the championship fight.

The battle also showcased how Monza’s fast corners could amplify rivalries. Piquet’s daring overtake at Curva Grande symbolised the fine line between control and disaster, while Mansell’s inability to reclaim the place showed the importance of tyre grip and engine performance at high speed. For spectators, it was proof that Monza could turn teammate rivalries into legendary contests.

Schumacher vs Häkkinen, 2000

Perhaps one of the most famous duels in Monza’s modern history came in 2000, when Michael Schumacher and Mika Häkkinen fought for supremacy in their title battle. The defining moment came when Häkkinen used a backmarker to his advantage, overtaking Schumacher at Variante della Roggia with a perfectly judged move. It was a display of tactical brilliance, as Häkkinen timed his pass to perfection, leaving Schumacher unable to respond.

The duel was made even more dramatic by the context of the season. Schumacher was leading the championship, Ferrari was under intense pressure to deliver at home, and Häkkinen needed every point to keep his title hopes alive. Passing Schumacher at Monza, in front of Ferrari’s passionate fans, was a psychological blow that shifted momentum in the Finn’s favour.

This battle was a reminder that Monza tests not just outright speed but also intelligence and timing. Häkkinen’s move remains one of the most replayed overtakes in F1 history, a perfect example of how reading traffic and using every element of the track can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Hamilton vs Räikkönen, 2007

Lewis Hamilton was only a rookie in 2007, but his fight with Kimi Räikkönen at Monza proved he was already a future champion. Driving for McLaren, Hamilton was fearless against Ferrari’s established star, pushing his car to the limits on softer tyres that gave him superior grip. Late in the race, Hamilton pulled off a decisive move on the inside of Räikkönen, earning second place behind teammate Fernando Alonso and showing that he could match the very best under immense pressure.

The duel was significant because it unfolded at Ferrari’s home race, where the Tifosi expected dominance from their drivers. Hamilton’s move against Räikkönen was not just about points, but about making a statement on the biggest stage. It highlighted his natural aggression, bravery, and ability to read race situations with clarity beyond his years.

For Räikkönen, the battle was a reminder of how unforgiving Monza can be when tyre strategy does not work in your favour. For Hamilton, it was an early career-defining moment, proving that he belonged at the front of the grid and setting the tone for his rivalry with Ferrari for years to come.

Vettel vs Alonso, 2011–2012

Few duels captured the imagination of the Italian fans like those between Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso in the early 2010s. In 2011, Vettel produced one of the most daring overtakes ever seen at Monza by going around the outside of Alonso at Curva Grande. Attempting such a move at over 190 mph required immense confidence in both his car and his tyres. Alonso, backed by the roar of the Tifosi in his Ferrari, fought hard but could not prevent the reigning world champion from pulling off the extraordinary.

The following year, Alonso tried to return the favour with a move of his own, but the attempt ended in drama. Pushing to reclaim the advantage, Alonso spun off, while Vettel received a penalty for overly aggressive defence. These moments underlined the intensity of their rivalry and the risks drivers are willing to take when racing at Monza, where Ferrari pride and Red Bull dominance clashed head-on.

These battles mattered not just for their outcome but for what they represented. They were about Ferrari’s fight to topple Red Bull at the height of its dominance, about Vettel proving his racecraft under pressure, and about Alonso’s determination to deliver glory for the Tifosi. Monza amplified every aspect of their rivalry, turning each pass into theatre.

The legacy of Monza’s greatest battles reminds us why the circuit is called the Temple of Speed. From Gethin’s photo-finish in 1971 to Häkkinen’s brilliance against Schumacher, these duels have defined eras and left fans with memories that still resonate. The 2025 Italian Grand Prix continued that tradition, with Piastri, Norris, and Verstappen writing their own chapter in a season that is far from decided. As the championship unfolds, the echoes of Monza’s history add weight to every move, showing that the fight for glory at this circuit has always been about courage, timing, and the will to win.