It is one of the most iconic logos on the planet, but the Prancing Horse originally did not belong to Ferrari – instead adorning the aircraft of a World War I fighter pilot.
As Sebastian Vettel once said, everyone is somewhat a fan of Ferrari.
The oldest and most successful team in F1, the Scuderia are the only team to have contested every single year of the world championship – although they have missed the odd race.
F1 does better when it has the red cars at the front, fighting for wins and titles, with the Ferrari Prancing Horse galloping towards victories.
Despite it becoming synonymous with the team, Ferrari originally did not own the Prancing Horse – it was instead gifted to Enzo by the family of a World War I fighter pilot.
- TRENDING: Why Ferrari’s history of pitstop blunders will cost it the 2022 F1 title
Photo by National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images
Ferrari Prancing Horse links to World War I pilot
As Enzo Ferrari was getting his team up and running in the 1920s, in a chance meeting he came across the parents of Italian pilot Francesco Baracca, who had the Prancing Horse emblem painted onto the fuselage of his aircraft.
His parents urged Enzo to use it for good luck, as the ‘Old Man’ made some minor additions to the design.
One thing that has never changed is the fact that the Cavalino Rampante is black, as Enzo added a yellow background – in tribute to his home town of Moderna.
Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images
The Italian tricolor was added to the top and so began the journey of the Prancing Horse.
It first adorned the side of one of Enzo’s cars at Spa in 1932 – and has remained ever since.
In the Austrian GP, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are running an original version of the Prancing Horse on their Ferraris to celebrate 90 years since it first raced.
Baracca was credited with 34 kills during World War I, but was killed in June 1918.
It remains unclear whether he was shot down in aerial combat or by ground to air fire, but was found with a bullet hole in his head near to the wreckage of his aircraft.
Ferrari clear as F1 most successful team
Since the Prancing Horse first appeared in an F1 world championship grand prix at the 1950 Monaco Grand Prix, it has seen the checkered flag more than any other team.
Ferrari has started 1,041 races, prior to Austria 2022, winning 240 times and collecting 16 constructor and 15 driver titles – with Michael Schumacher the most successful driver in the history of the team.
However, it has been relatively lean years for Ferrari since its last championship in 2008 when it won the constructors’ crown.
It’s last drivers’ title was with Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 – the year after Schumacher retired for the first time.
- EXPLAINED: What Kimi Raikkonen is doing now in his F1 retirement
Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images
In other news, What is the Pink Sauce? Chef’s sweet condiment sends TikTok wild
