Mugello – all you need to know about F1's newest Grand Prix track

This September Formula 1 will race in Mugello for the first time, and on the occasion of Ferrari’s 1000th race no less. Here’s what you need to know about the spectacular Tuscan venue…

Where is it?

In the beautiful region of Tuscany, in northwest Italy, just 35 kilometres from the historic regional capital of Florence.

When was the track built?

Although the ‘Mugello’ name had been associated with racing in that area of Tuscany since back in 1914 – having previously referred to a fearsome 38-mile road racing course – the Mugello circuit proper opened in June 1974. Ferrari then purchased the track, based a 75-mile drive away from their Maranello headquarters, in 1988.

Mugello Returns to F1 in 2020

When was its first Grand Prix?

Despite having been a fixture for a number of international series over the years, most notably MotoGP, 2020 will mark the first time that Mugello will host a Formula 1 World Championship event. F1 has tested at the circuit several times however, with Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc pounding around the high-speed track at the end of June, as Ferrari prepared for the first race in Austria.

What’s the circuit like?

Mugello is a swooping, undulating circuit that the drivers almost universally adore. Set in a valley, the natural topography makes a lap of the 3.3-mile track – which also hosted Kimi Raikkonen’s famous first outing with Sauber – a real rollercoaster ride, with the stomach-churning run through Casanova, Savelli and into Arrabbiata 1 and 2 a particular highlight. In other words, no first gear hairpins – in fact, according to former F1 driver Paul di Resta, the drivers might not dip below fourth gear…