Ferrari will run a classic livery at this weekend’s Tuscan Grand Prix, in celebration of its 1,000th Formula 1 race.
The Italian team has taken part in every world championship season since 1950, making its debut at the second race of the inaugural season at Monaco, where it entered three Ferrari 125 cars, finishing second with Alberto Ascari and fourth with Raymond Sommer, with the third car of Luigi Villoresi failing to finish.
As part of celebrations this weekend, the team will run a retro livery on both Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel’s cars which will celebrate the 1950 season – it’s not known exactly what this entails, but it’s expected the SF1000 will be painted a darker shade of gloss red to match the 125.
Ferrari meanwhile holds the title sponsorship of the race, which is taking place at Mugello, a circuit that is owned by the supercar manufacturer.
Tickets went on sale for the race last week with a very limited number of fans permitted access – the first race which has allowed fans since the coronavirus pandemic.
The team will certainly be hoping for a better race than last weekend’s ‘home’ event at Monza for the Italian GP, which saw both cars retire.
Vettel suffered from brake failure, whilst Leclerc crashed out from fifth place – a position he found himself in after a race restart. The Monegasque’s racer’s car suffered severe damage and it’s unknown if the chassis will be used again, or will require replacing.
Team boss Mattia Binotto is hoping for a better 1,000th race and is keen to put last weekend behind him.
“Qualifying was very difficult and not finishing the race is even worse,” he said on Sunday.
“But I think we need to turn the page and look forward to make sure this is all a lesson learned for us and I think we need to look forward to progress.
“Next week we have Mugello which is an important appointment, the 1,000th grand prix, so we will try to be the most ready we can be for the weekend.”
Hey, the Ferrari 125 might be more competitive! (It’s sad, but I am also a Ferrari fan.)
It will not be 1000th world championship race entered by Scuderia Ferrari, though…but 1000th where Ferrari car will be competing. Not the same thing.