If there’s one question that follows all the discussions among motorsport fans, it’s this: in the hearts of Italians, does the Italian flag or the Prancing Horse matter more? In Italy, in fact, the rules of the fan base are complex.
The “Tifosi”
In italian, the word ‘tifoso’ indicates an «enthusiastic, passionate about a genre of sport, a fervent supporter of a sports team or athlete». But in the world of motorsport, the word Tifosi refers to a very specific group of enthusiasts: the supporters of Scuderia Ferrari. Called this way because no one remains as faithful as they are. They don’t watch the race, they live it. They climb over barriers to celebrate a victory, sing at the top of their lungs even in defeats, and consider every single overtake a masterpiece. Ferrari is a faith.
Monza thus becomes the place of the “Ferrari religion”. It’s the moment when the stands transform into a red sea: between T-shirts, caps and giant flags celebrating the Scuderia. Maranello also becomes a key point, Ferrari’s hometown, the place where it all began. Here the Fans flock from all over, they almost look like pilgrims on their journey. This dedication follows decades of work by the Scuderia, of victories and defeats, but despite everything the Fans never stop believing.
In our country, Ferrari has never been perceived simply as a sports team, but has immediately become a symbol of industrial redemption, style, technology, and national pride. When an Italian watches a red car on the track, he’s not just rooting for a Sunday result: he’s rooting for a piece of Italy that excels globally.
Italian drivers in Ferrari
History is full of Italian champions who made the nation dream dressed in Ferrari red. From Alberto Ascari (considered one of the best Italian drivers of all time), capable of dominating the F1 world championship in the 1950s, to Michele Alboreto, who narrowly missed out on the F1 world title in 1985. Antonio Giovinazzi also holds a special place in the hearts of Italians, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023 and the World Endurance Championship with Ferrari in 2025.
Despite the happiness of an Italian driving for his national team, this opportunity could become a double-edged sword. Media and popular pressure becomes immense, every mistake is amplified, every performance below expectations becomes a national case.
Drivers “adopted” by the Tifosi
The proof of the dedication to the Scuderia lies in the way the Fans welcome foreign drivers. Champions like Gilles Villeneuve, Michael Schumacher or Charles Leclerc have never been seen as “foreigners”.
Through passion, total commitment and the ability to embody the spirit of the Prancing Horse, these drivers were completely accepted by the Italians. When they understand what it means to race for the Tifosi and when they experience the pressure of Maranello, the geographical origin vanishes: they become part of the great Ferrari family.
Italian drivers in rival teams
What happens when an Italian driver races for a rival team?
Kimi Antonelli is currently the emblem of “the one who made it”. Italian driver born in 2006, racing in F1 with Mercedes. He cultivates his passion from the lower categories, where he has proven he has what it takes to excel. A two-time European karting champion in 2020 and 2021, he went on to win the ADAC Formula 4, and numerous other categories. He is the youngest driver to take a pole position, the youngest Italian to win a Grand Prix and the youngest leader of the drivers’ world championship.
Let’s analyze the case of the 2026 Monza GP. The weekend of September 6, 2026, had opened under a sea of strictly Ferrari red flags; the Monza crowd had only one goal: to push Ferrari towards home triumph. However, the race turned into a drama: Leclerc forced to retire and Hamilton almost in midfield, dashing the hopes of victory of the Maranello people.
Yet, the enthusiasm in the stands had not died down. The Monza crowd gave rise to an extraordinary phenomenon of cheering. The hundreds of thousands of fans in attendance poured all their love and hunger for victory onto Kimi, who, starting from the back (from 19th on the grid following the penalty for changing the Power Unit), staged a legendary comeback.
When Kimi crossed the finish line in first place, accomplishing a feat that had been missing for a home Italian driver for decades, the red tide thus converted into a total national embrace, demonstrating that, when Ferrari stops, the heart beats for Italian talent.
The talent crisis in Italian motorsport
Italy has a great tradition of fast and promising drivers in the younger categories and karts, but most fail to make the definitive leap to the higher categories. Accessing and competing in championships like F4, F3, F2, requires ever-increasing budgets, transforming the growth path into a question of financial resources rather than pure merit. It is therefore an economic barrier.
A problem that is also brought to our attention by Antonio Giovinazzi, who states: «The lack of Italian drivers among the top drivers is a problem that has been going on for a long time. It can be seen above all from the first steps, from the world of go karts. It’s above all a problem for Italian sponsors who don’t invest capital; for families, go karting is already too expensive. The talents are there though. My advice is to never give up on dreams and to insist with determination: I found sponsors outside Italy, in Indonesia, where I began my career»
Unlike other countries where national media creates strong visibility around young talent, in Italy media attention is almost entirely monopolized by big brands, leaving young drivers without the coverage needed to attract major sponsors.
So what wins in the hearts of Italians?
The answer we give ourselves is not univocal, but it is a unique emotional hierarchy. Ferrari remains the underlying religion, the symbol for which motorsport fans dress in red regardless of who is holding the steering wheel. However, Italy is not blind to Italian talent. When Ferrari stops, the tricolor of the Italian flag does not go out.
Italians will always dream of the perfect combination: a home driver winning the World Championship at the wheel of a Ferrari. Until that day, the heart will continue to beat for the Ferrari Red, but always ready to welcome an italian talent.
