Centenary of Francesco Baracca's Death

Today (19 June) marks a very important date in history for the Ferrari marque and for us as the Tifosi.

Francesco Baracca died one hundred years ago today - shot down by Austro-Hungarian gunfire in an aerial battle; ended the career of Italy's most successful WW1 fighter pilot. He had just turned 30.

As is now well known, the prancing horse emblem adorned the side of Baracca's bi-planes in WW1. The Cavallino Rampante symbol was presented to Enzo Ferrari by Baracca's mother a decade later for use on his racing cars - a tradition which remans to this day.

So here is a nod to an event - right towards the end of the war - which had a huge bearing on the Ferrari marque that we know today.


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I knew the history, but I'd never seen that photo. Very cool.

 

This is the picture that was presented to Enzo Ferrari by Francesco Baracca's mother - Countess Paolina Baracca - inscribed in the left top corner; which gave him their blessing to use their son's symbol on his cars. Ferrari kept this picture for the rest of his life.