Rosso corsa
The deep red that marks Italian racing cars and teams
Rosso corsa is a vivid red colour linked with Italian motor racing teams since the 1920s. It became Italy’s national racing colour, seen on cars from Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and others, and is now widely recognised as the signature shade of Italian speed and competition.
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- Italy’s official racing colour since the 1920s
- Most Ferraris are painted in rosso corsa
- Linked to Pantone 185 C but never formally fixed
- Used by Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Lancia and Ducati
- Represents Italy in international motorsport
What colour is Rosso corsa?
Rosso corsa is a strong, bright red shade most often seen on Italian racing cars. It stands out from other reds by its deep, clear tone, which is neither too dark nor too orange. This colour is closely tied to Italy’s identity in motorsport, making it easy to spot Italian teams on the track. Different car makers have their own slight variations, but all are recognisably rosso corsa.
Where does Rosso corsa come from?
The name means 'racing red' in Italian. Rosso corsa became Italy’s official racing colour in the early 20th century, after a red Itala car won the 1907 Peking to Paris race. Before that, Italy was briefly assigned black, but soon adopted red, which had been used by American teams. The colour was chosen to help identify teams by country in international competitions.
How Rosso corsa is defined
Rosso corsa is not a pigment or dye, but a colour standard. It is usually matched to Pantone 185 C, though it has never been formally fixed. Car makers may use slightly different paint formulas or finishes, leading to lighter or darker versions, but all aim for the same recognisable red.
Where Rosso corsa is used
This colour is most famous on Italian racing cars from makers like Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Lancia. It is also used by Ducati motorcycles and has appeared in Italian winter sports, such as bobsleigh and alpine skiing. Nearly 80% of Ferraris sold are painted in rosso corsa, and it is a key part of Italy’s sporting image.
What Rosso corsa means
Rosso corsa stands for Italy in international motor racing. It is a symbol of national pride and tradition, helping fans and officials quickly identify Italian teams. While other national teams use colours like blue or green, Italy’s racing identity is tied to this particular red.
Red around the world
What the red family means from country to country.
It is a custom to wear new red underwear on New Year's Eve for luck and love in the coming year. Shop windows fill with it in December.
Luck and prosperityLove and desireSource: New Year's EveRosso corsa, racing red, was the colour given to Italian cars in early international motor racing. Ferrari kept it, and it is now the colour people expect of the brand.
Festival and celebrationPrideEnergySource: Rosso corsaThe flag uses the four Pan-Arab colours: a red bar at the hoist with green, white and black bands. It was designed by a young Emirati, Abdullah Al Maainah, in 1971.
Politics and protestPrideSource: Flag of the United Arab EmiratesThe flag is a black double-headed eagle on red, the banner of the fifteenth-century hero Skanderbeg. Fans chant Kuq e Zi, red and black.
Politics and protestPrideSource: Flag of AlbaniaArmenian scribes painted manuscripts with vordan karmir, a crimson dye made from an insect that lives on the roots of grasses in the Ararat plain.
Sacred and holySource: Armenian cochinealUnder Juan Manuel de Rosas in the 1830s and 1840s, everyone had to wear a scarlet ribbon to show loyalty to his Federalist party. His enemies, the Unitarians, were tied to sky blue.
Politics and protestFearSource: Juan Manuel de RosasShades and relatives of Rosso corsa
Different Italian car makers have their own shades: Ferrari’s red is lighter, Alfa Romeo’s is darker, and Lancia and Maserati have oxblood or brick-red tones. The colour may look different on screens or under various lighting, and in the past, teams have used other colours for special reasons, but rosso corsa remains the standard.
Colours that go with Rosso corsa
Harmonies are worked out from the value #D40000. Contrast ratios follow the WCAG 2 formula.
Questions people ask about Rosso corsa
What colour is rosso corsa?
Rosso corsa is a bright, deep red. It is most often matched to Pantone 185 C, though shades may vary slightly between car makers.
Where does the name rosso corsa come from?
The name is Italian for 'racing red'. It refers to the colour used by Italian teams in international motor racing since the early 20th century.
Why do Italian racing cars use rosso corsa?
Rosso corsa was adopted as Italy’s national racing colour to help identify teams by country in international competitions. It became a tradition after an Italian car won the 1907 Peking to Paris race.
Is rosso corsa only used on cars?
While best known on racing cars, rosso corsa is also used by Ducati motorcycles and has appeared in Italian winter sports equipment and uniforms.
Has the shade of rosso corsa changed over time?
Yes, the exact shade has varied, especially to suit television screens or sponsor colours, but it remains a recognisable deep red.
Good reading and sources
- Rosso corsa on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More pictures on Wikimedia CommonsPictures
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Rosso corsa", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Rang rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. The swatch is an approximation: named colours are not fixed standards, and every screen shows them a little differently. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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