In a notable event held within Vatican City, Ferrari’s Chairman John Elkann met Pope Leo XIV and presented him with the steering wheel used by Charles Leclerc in the SF-25 Formula 1 car. This rare gesture was accompanied by other Ferrari memorabilia, cementing the longstanding connection between the Italian racing team and the Vatican. The meeting quickly caught the attention of fans, who responded with a range of reactions online.
Before handing over the gifts, Elkann and the Pope shared photographs, highlighting the cordial nature of the occasion. During the presentation, Pope Leo XIV appeared curious about the authenticity of the items and questioned,
“This is a real steering wheel? From the real car?”
To which Elkann replied,
“This is to remind you of your passion for driving and to drive. This is more for fun.”
Historical Ties Between Ferrari and the Vatican Amidst Contemporary Challenges
Ferrari, as an emblematic Italian brand, has maintained a close relationship with the Vatican and past pontiffs over the years, with a heritage steeped in motorsport success. Despite this rich history, the current Formula 1 season has been challenging for the team, which has yet to secure a race win or earn a podium finish. This downturn has made the gift of Leclerc’s steering wheel particularly poignant, reflecting both pride in Ferrari’s past achievements and awareness of its current struggles.
The difficult season has fueled humorous and sometimes critical commentary from fans, who used the occasion of Elkann’s visit to joke about issues the drivers and team have encountered. The occasion therefore served as both a celebration of Ferrari’s legacy and as a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing the squad.
Charles Leclerc Opens Up About Ferrari’s Performance Issues in Cooler Conditions
Ferrari’s difficulties have been highlighted recently by driver Charles Leclerc, who blamed the SF-25’s underperformance on colder race conditions. At the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, both Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton struggled noticeably during the race, despite promising practice session results. Leclerc experienced a crash in qualifying and started the race in tenth, while Hamilton faced disqualification during qualifying, starting twelfth.
Reflecting on the weekend’s performance, Leclerc admitted,
“It’s always easy to blame the car and I think overall the car this weekend hasn’t been the strongest and it’s been a difficult weekend,”
and added,
“We have some explanations, first is probably the approach that I’ve had on the set-up, which hasn’t been the right one. Second, I think our car is struggling whenever it’s cool and it’s been quite cold since yesterday and that made us struggle.”
This performance slump contributed to Ferrari dropping to third place in the Constructors’ Championship as Mercedes gained the upper hand through George Russell’s podium finish and Kimi Antonelli’s fourth place, accumulating enough points to surpass the Italian team.
Fan Reactions Highlight Mixed Feelings About Ferrari’s Current State
The presentation of Charles Leclerc’s steering wheel to the Pope resonated widely among the motorsport community, drawing a variety of responses from enthusiasts and observers. Some fans expressed nostalgia and respect for Ferrari’s heritage, while others used the opportunity to highlight the frustrations and technical difficulties the team is facing this season. The mix of reverence and playful criticism underscores the intensity and passion surrounding Ferrari’s struggles in 2025.
Significance of the Gesture and What Lies Ahead for Ferrari
This unique meeting and the symbolic gifting of the steering wheel serve as a reminder of Ferrari’s historic prestige and the deep emotional ties it shares with its Italian roots, including the Vatican. At the same time, it casts light on an urgent need for performance improvements as the team battles to regain its competitiveness in Formula 1.
As Ferrari seeks solutions to its recent setbacks, the challenges articulated by Charles Leclerc about the SF-25’s behavior in various conditions will likely shape adjustments in car setup and strategy moving forward. Fans and experts alike will be watching closely as Ferrari aims to climb back up the standings and reclaim its place at the pinnacle of motorsport.
Papa Leone XIV ha ricevuto il 26 settembre in Vaticano John Elkann, presidente di Stellantis, accompagnato dalla moglie Lavinia Borromeo. Tra i doni consegnati al Pontefice: un volante di Formula 1 già utilizzato in gara e un modellino Ferrari. pic.twitter.com/iLuOUUk4MD
— EWTN Italia 🇮🇹 (@EwtnItalia) September 26, 2025
