Great question!
Monza Gorilla was the nickname given to Vittorio Brambilla, a Formula One driver from Monza in Italy who had quite the reputation for his sense of machismo and aggression both on and off the racing circuit. Think Pastor Maldonado, but likeable.
A master of wet conditions, Vittorio dragged his March 751 to victory at the 1975 Austrian Grand Prix in torrential rain – and in his excitement he proceeded to crash it on the victory lap. Sadly, that was his sole victory as well as only podium in his F1 career, but it was at least memorable for those who knew him and for those who witnessed it.
Fast, but accident prone at the best of times, The Monza Gorilla is the inspiration behind this site. He was not only a racer in F1, but he was also one of F1’s biggest fans, having opened a Formula 1 memorabilia shop after he retired. Sadly, he died at the relatively young age of just 63 from a heart attack while mowing his lawn. He lives on through this site.
