The first race of the 2007 Formula 1 season begins this weekend in Melbourne, Australia. Ferrari is a early pick to be the dominate team this year even without arguebly the greatest driver of all time, Michael Schumacher who retired last year.
Will the “Prancing Horse” stand up and dominate this season like he has for almost the beginning of Grand Prix Racing?
That logo has a long and interesting history.
It is called the “Cavallino rampante” (rampant little horse), a black stallion in yellow field. The “Cavallino rampante” has often brought about curiosities as to its origination, the black horse on its back two legs is very similar to the coat of arms for the city of Stuttgart, Germany home of Porsche, long hailed as Ferrari’s main competitor. The stallion is also the centerpiece in the Porsche logo. The stallion was the battle-mark of Francisco Baracca a famous World War I aircraft pilot who died during the war. Baracca was said to have adopted the symbol from one on the plane of a German pilot he shot down, who was from Stuttgart. (Stuttgart means stud farm, in German, hence the symbol). Enzo Ferrari’s brother, Alfredino, was a member of Baracca’s ground crew (Enzo Ferrari’s father, brother were all named Alfredino. Vehicles built by Ferrari using V6 engines are all known as Dinos, in honor of Ferrari’s son, who died at the age of 24)
Baracca’s mother gave it to Enzo Ferrari for their friendship after Baracca’s death. Enzo adapted it for its racing team, adding the Italian Tricolore of red white and green at the top of the shield with the letters S and F for Scuderia Ferrari. “Rampante” is an Italian word that refers to an animal with four legs standing on posterior legs while with the forelegs are rising up and forward – like a lion attacking. It’s a symbol of strength, vitality and power.
Hence the history of the most recognized automobile symbol in the world.