29 Mar 2017

Plot to kidnap dead Ferrari boss foiled

9:02 am on 29 March 2017

Italian police say they've foiled a plan to steal the body of legendary Formula One racing pioneer Enzo Ferrari and demand a ransom.

Ferrari, founder of the company that produces some of the world's fastest and most expensive cars, died in 1988 at the age of 90 after making the company's prancing horse logo an internationally recognised brand.

Ferrari founder the late Enzo Ferarri

Ferrari founder the late Enzo Ferarri Photo: Ferrari

Police in Sardinia say they suspect a gang had planned to demand a ransom from the Ferrari family or company after spiriting away the body.

They gave no further details about the plot but said it was discovered during an investigation into arms and drug trafficking that led to a number of arrests.

Ferrari is buried in an above-ground family tomb in the San Cataldo cemetery in Modena, near the Ferrari plant at Maranello in central Italy.