At the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari may choose to publicly express its mourning following the death of Pope Francis. And many are now looking back at what happened the last time the Church lost its leader.
The passing of Pope Francis has caused a wave of emotion across the globe, touching even the world of sports and Formula 1.
In Italy, the country closest both geographically and culturally to the Vatican, there is widespread discussion about whether Ferrari, the nation’s most iconic team, will pay tribute in some symbolic way.
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This wouldn’t be the first time. Ferrari has previously shown its respect during major global tragedies by visibly marking its cars. At the 2001 Italian Grand Prix, held just days after the 9/11 attacks, the team added black bands to its nose cones as a sign of mourning.
A similar gesture occurred in 2005 during the Bahrain Grand Prix, just hours after the death of Pope John Paul II.
Out of respect, Italian broadcaster RAI chose not to air the race live, opting instead for a delayed broadcast—an unprecedented move that underlined the gravity of the moment.
Now, just over ten days before the Miami Grand Prix—the first race after Pope Francis’ death—speculation is mounting that Ferrari may repeat the gesture.
In Italy, there are even rumors that the government will soon declare five days of national mourning. In such a context, a symbolic act by Ferrari—such as a black ribbon on the livery or a message of condolence—wouldn’t be surprising. It would serve as a powerful reminder of the team’s deep connection to its homeland and to Pope Francis himself, a figure known for his closeness to people and to the world of sport.
