Date 11 September 1994 | Course length 5.800 km (3.604 mi) | |
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Course Permanent racing facility Distance 53 laps, 307.400 km (191.010 mi) | ||
The 1994 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 11 September 1994 at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza. It was the twelfth race of the 1994 Formula One season. The 53-lap race was won by Damon Hill driving for Williams-Renault with Austrian Gerhard Berger finishing second for Scuderia Ferrari and Finnish driver Mika Häkkinen driving for McLaren-Peugeot third.
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As part of his two-race ban after the events of the 1994 British Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher was replaced for this race by JJ Lehto.
The day after the Grand Prix, Lotus went into receivership but, they would still compete in the rest of the 1994 season. Lotus had brought an upgraded Mugen engine to Monza, allowing Johnny Herbert to qualify in a season-best fourth place, but hopes that he may score points in the race were ended in a first corner accident with Eddie Irvine, who was given a one-race ban suspended for three races for his driving.
Background
The Grand Prix was originally cancelled on 12 August 1994 when local officials refused a demand to cut down 123 trees for reasons related to safety.The trees in question were located at the famous Lesmo-corners which lacked suitable run off-areas. The after the announcement, Gianni Letta, an Italian cabinet under-secretary went to Cannes to meet with FIA president Max Mosley to discuss the issue. The meeting, also attended by Scuderia Ferrari driver and representative to the drivers Gerhard Berger, agreed that changes to the shape of the curve would reduce its speed.