How? In many ways. Even by committing mafia-related crimes or taking part in what many have called the heist of the century, or by becoming—entirely unwittingly—linked to one of the most shocking cases of cannibalism in modern history. Or by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans thanks to a budget raised through marijuana dealing, all the way to Pablo Escobar himself, who, in his spare time, was a skilled racing driver. And then we arrive at the world of Grand Prix racing, touching on the 1984 Tyrrell case—the most sensational sporting fraud ever devised in Formula One—which resulted in the harshest possible penalty: the exclusion of an entire team from a full championship.
But the list of facts and misdeeds also includes the kidnapping of Juan Manuel Fangio, that of jeweler Gianni Bulgari, the exploits of the famous police officer Armando Spatafora, always chasing criminals through the streets of Rome at the wheel of his Ferrari 260 GT 2+2, as well as forays into the world of rallying by “distinguished” and historic mafia bosses acting as drivers.
These are just some of the stories that form the backbone of this truly unique book, one that delves into the darker side of motorsport, where tales and characters bordering on the unbelievable resurface, casting a noir shadow over the world of racing. Leading this dive into murky waters are Andrea Cordovani, Editor-in-Chief of Autosprint, and Mario Donnini, journalist for the same racing weekly and author.
