ABSTRACT
Italian car makers such as Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Maserati and Fiat were among the pioneers of motor racing. Alfa Romeo was very successful in the period before the Second World War, but since the late 1950s Ferrari has been the catalyst for the passion Italians display for motor racing. Several television programmes are dedicated to pre-and post-race analysis; a victory by Ferrari often prompts dancing in the streets and the front page of La Gazzetta dello Sport will relegate even football to secondary status. The Mille Miglia (One Thousand Mile) race-until 1957-and the Monza and San Marino Formula One Grand Prix are amongst the most awaited events of the sports season.
