Talking about motor sport “forces” one to talk about Maserati and Juan Manuel Fangio, the Argentine who dominated the first decade of Formula 1, winning the world championship five times, two of which with the Italian brand. Now, to celebrate this victorious past, Maserati has just launched the F Tributo special edition.
The Modena brand's debut in the competition took place precisely 95 years ago; it was on April 25, 1926 that the first race car to sport the Trident on its hood, the Tipo26, won the 1500cc class in the Targa Florio, with Alfieri Maserati at the wheel.
But only 28 years later, on January 17, 1954, Maserati made its debut in Formula 1 and entered the pinnacle of world motorsport with the 250F piloted by Fangio.
The connection to the world of racing and the glorious past where Fangio was (and still is…) the protagonist, inspired the new F Tribute Special Edition, which had its world premiere at the 2021 Shanghai Motor Show: The “F” stands for Fangio and “Tribute” is a clear tribute to past victories.
This special series is available on the Ghibli and Levante in two unique colors – Rosso Tributo and Azzurro Tributo – and has several exclusive elements that evoke the sporty character of the transalpine manufacturer.
References to the past begin right outside and in the two chosen colors. Red is the most authentic color in Italian motorsport, and historically, Maserati cars have always competed with a paint job in this shade. On the other hand, the Azzurro Tributo tone recalls that blue is one of the colors (along with yellow) of the City of Modena, the historic “home” of Maserati.
In addition to all this, the yellow brake calipers are a direct reference to Fangio's 250F, which had a red and yellow decoration. But the exterior look is only complete with darkened 21” wheels — also with a yellow stripe — and a specific black emblem behind the front wheel arches.
These shades also add color to the interior, through red or yellow stitching, combined with black Pieno Fiore leather.