The 2026 Olympic Winter Games are underway in Italy, but the connection between the Games and motorsport runs deeper than just this year’s torchbearers, Kimi Antonelli and Stefano Domenicali. Twenty years ago, at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Formula 1 staged a spectacular and unexpected demonstration of speed and engineering prowess, leaving a lasting impression on a global audience.
The opening ceremony, designed to showcase Italian design, industry, and speed, featured a surprise appearance by a Ferrari F1 car. Driven by Italian test driver Luca Badoer, the 2005 Ferrari F2005 roared into the stadium, captivating the 35,000 spectators present and an estimated two billion television viewers worldwide.
The display wasn’t simply a static showcase. A makeshift pitstop was constructed within the stadium, with the Ferrari crew meticulously servicing the car before the engine’s thunderous start. Badoer then carefully maneuvered the V10-powered machine, unleashing its full 900 horsepower in a breathtaking display of donuts, much to the delight of the crowd. The car itself was emblazoned with the Olympic rings and the colors of Turin, further cementing the connection between the Games and the nation’s racing heritage.
“Rhythm, passion and speed” was the promise of the show’s producers, and by all accounts, they delivered. The spectacle offered a unique sensory experience for those in attendance, allowing them to witness – and smell – the power of a Formula 1 car up close. It was a moment that transcended sport, becoming a symbol of Italian innovation, and performance.
While the F2005 wasn’t the most successful car in Ferrari’s storied history – securing only one win across the 17 races of the 2005 season – its performance in Turin proved to be a resounding success. The appearance was a deliberate surprise, not even listed on the official program, adding to the element of spectacle and delight.
Mario Pescante, the Turin 2006 government supervisor, encapsulated the sentiment at the time, stating, “Ferrari and Torino 2006 are two symbols of Italy at its best. Italy that wants to win, that joins style and skill, that loves great challenges and fears no comparisons with the rest of the world.”
The 2006 event wasn’t an isolated instance of Formula 1’s involvement with the Olympic Games. Over the years, several prominent F1 drivers have had the honor of carrying the Olympic torch, including Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Alex Zanardi, demonstrating the ongoing synergy between the two worlds.
This year’s Games, while not featuring a live F1 demonstration, continue to acknowledge the sport’s influence. Stefano Domenicali’s participation as a torchbearer highlights the enduring relationship between Formula 1 and the Olympic spirit. The 2006 Turin spectacle remains a memorable moment, a testament to the power of motorsport to captivate and inspire a global audience, and a reminder of Italy’s passion for both speed and sporting excellence.
