Inside abandoned and infamous F1 oval track not used for over 60 years after driver and 15 fans killed in horror crash

THE abandoned oval circuit at Monza has not been used since 1961 after a horror crash which killed a driver and 15 spectators.

But the disused track is still in good condition and people can even take a ride around it on pushbikes.

Rex

Getty

The banking was a major cause of crashes when used for the Italian GP[/caption]

Getty

The circuit is now open to members of the public on foot or on bike[/caption]

Rex

Google Earth

An aerial view of the Monza circuit[/caption]

It was opened in 1922 for the Italian Grand Prix but it did not take long for tragedy to strike as driver Fritz Kuhn was killed during practice.

Six years later a huge disaster occurred when driver Emilio Materassi lost control of his car and crashed into the mainstand.

Materassi died along with 22 spectators and the Italian GP was not held again until 1931.

However it would not take long until another horrific crash took place – in 1933 three drivers died at the Grand Prix in an incident known as the Black Day of Monza.

A change to the track was made in 1933 and further changes would follow after another shocking incident in 1961.

Wolfgang von Trips and 15 spectators were killed following a crash in lap two of the Italian GP.

Since then the banking at the track has not been used, and even now it is clear to see how dangerous it must have been.

The banking has not been maintained but it has not been overgrown by nature either, so a part of Monza history remains.

Getty

The circuit was deemed too dangerous following several crashes[/caption]

Getty

Many drivers and spectators have died since the track was opened in 1922[/caption]

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

The high-speed circuit has not been used since 1961 with races only being held on the road circuit.

In 2014 the old banking was re-paved and made available to members of the public on foot or pushbikes.