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Ferrari Chief John Elkann Gifts Pope Leo a Race-Used Leclerc F1 Steering Wheel at Vatican Audience

The exchange, documented by Rome Reports, extends Ferrari's tradition of presenting Formula 1 artifacts to popes.

Overview

  • Video from the private audience shows Elkann confirming the wheel is authentic and was used by Charles Leclerc in a Grand Prix.
  • Elkann also presented a scaled model of the Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale, the same supercar Leclerc owns privately.
  • The Pope examined the steering wheel with surprise and later showed Elkann his Jeep, a brand that, like Ferrari, sits under Stellantis overseen by Elkann.
  • It remains unclear whether the gifted items will be displayed publicly or added to Vatican collections.
  • Coverage across multiple outlets aligns on the gifts and setting, though some reports inconsistently cite the Pope's regnal number.