Pope Leo XIV has received a race-used Ferrari Formula 1 steering wheel from Charles Leclerc, along with a model of the SF90 XX Stradale, during a Vatican engagement attended by Ferrari chairman John Elkann.
Motorsport meets the Vatican
The presentation of a race-used steering wheel—one of the most complex control devices in sport—served as a symbolic bridge between Italian automotive excellence and a global institution. The SF90 XX Stradale model added a road-car touchpoint to a moment steeped in Ferrari heritage.
Why the wheel matters
Modern F1 steering wheels are dense with functionality, acting as a driver’s command center for energy deployment, differential and brake balance settings, radio, and more. As a gift, it captures the precision and innovation that define Ferrari’s racing DNA.
The encounter underscored the cultural reach of Formula 1 and Ferrari’s unique role at the intersection of sport, technology and Italian identity.
