These times when the Ferraris changed their dress in Formula 1

On the occasion of the centenary of the Monza Autodromo and the 75th anniversary of the Team Ferrari, the F1-75 of Charles Leclerc et Carlos Sainz will wear a predominantly red decoration accompanied by yellow. This color, the emblem of the city of Modena, birthplace of Enzo Ferrari, is the latest example of a (rare) series where single-seaters bearing the Prancing Horse have evolved in more unexpected colors than the usual red.

Belgian Grand Prix 1961

O. Gendebien negotiates the Source hairpin. © DR

In the stands of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, on this Sunday June 18, 1961, Sefac (Societa Esercizio Fabbriche Automobili e Corse) or more simply Scuderia Ferrari must enter three 156s with V6 engines for Phil Hill, Wolfgang von Trips and Richie Ginther. These are painted with the classic “Rosso corso” of the trans brandalpine. But a fourth car entirely yellow is also favored by Italian mechanics.

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This is a chassis loaned by the Scuderia to the Belgian National Team (ENB). The training founded by Jacques Swaters and Johnny Claes takes part in the Toboggan des Ardennes with Olivier Gendebien. The Belgian had just won the previous week the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Phil Hill on a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (red) entered by the Scuderia. Impressed by the performance, Enzo Ferrari decided to give his client a helping hand by taking over the ENB entry at Spa. Jacques Swaters was also an actor in this rapprochement by making a request to the Commendatore, as a thank you for Gendebien's exploit.

The color used by Belgium in motor racing from the beginnings of this sport being yellow before the Second World War, the Belgian national team had adopted this color between 1955 and 1962. Oliver Gendebien qualified third, behind the Hill-von duo. Trips but ahead of John Surtees (Cooper) and Richie Ginther. In the race, the Brussels resident will cross the finish line at the foot of the podium.

1964 Mexican Grand Prix

© DR

It's best not to get upset. He Ingenerates ". In 1964, Ferrari fought for the Drivers' title with John Surtees against the Lotuses of Jim Clark and Graham Hill. But when they arrive in Mexico for the season finale, the spectators are amazed: red is absent from the Ferraris, which use a white and blue decoration!

In reality, Enzo Ferrari did not enter a single F1 car at the Mexico Grand Prix. It is the North American importer of the Italian manufacturer, the NART (North America Racing Team) founded by the former winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (with Ferrari in 1949) Luigi Chinetti, who is responsible for the registration and maintenance of cars.

Mr. Ferrari signs by his absence a unique gesture of protest in the history of his company. He had little taste of the lack of support from the Italian automobile federation and the ACI (the Italian motorsport federation) when his Ferrari 250 LM was relegated to the Prototype category in Endurance, instead of the GT regulations as Ferrari wanted. Since this is so, the red color, emblematic of Italian motorsport cars, no longer deserves to be displayed for the whole world to see!

However, as there is still a title to be won (which John Surtees will accomplish), the tough business manager instructs the NART to enter its F1 cars. Blue and white are chosen, two colors which symbolize the United States in motorsport. A few months later, everything will be back to normal and the F1 158s will leave the Maranello workshops in red.

2001 Italian Grand Prix

A sober decoration in homage to the victims of September 11. © DPPI / E. Vargiolu

Let's jump back in time to the 2001 Italian Grand Prix. Five days after the expectations of September 11 killing 2 people in New York, Formula 750 is covered in mourning. The heavy atmosphere materializes on the F 1s piloted by Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello in Monza.

These are free of any sponsor and the muzzle is decorated in black. This tribute will be renewed in April 2005, as a mark of respect for the memory of Pope John Paul II, who died shortly before the Bahrain Grand Prix. In these two races, the Scuderia will not climb to the top of the podium. Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams-BMW) recorded its first victory in the Hall of Speed ​​in 2001 while Fernando Alonso (Renault) wins in Sakhir.

AUTO – F1 2005 – BAHRAIN GP – SAKHIR 03/04/2005 – PHOTO: FRANCOIS FLAMAND / DPPI TEAM FERRARI – AMBIANCE FOR POPE TRIBUTE JEAN PAUL II PAPE

2020 Tuscan Grand Prix

This livery did not improve the team's performance. © DPPI

In the midst of Covid-19, Mugello, a track which has been owned by the Scuderia since 1988, hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix for the first time in its history in the summer of 2020. The SF1000 was decked out to celebrate its 1000th Grand Prix in a burgundy red dress, similar to that of the Ferrari 125 F1 lined up during the Scuderia's very first Grand Prix: it was in Monaco on May 21, 1950. The combinations of Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel were the same color.

The house of Maranello is the only team to have participated in all seasons of the Formula 1 world championship, even if it made a few rare disloyalties to the premier category. Starting with the very first GP in history at Silverstone on May 13, 1950.

This livery did not bring luck to the Reds at all. Charles Leclerc finished 8th and Sebastian Vettel closed the top 10.