In Pixar’s Cars 2, Italy is the home nation of race car Francesco Bernoulli. Francesco is a Formula-style champion and Lightning McQueen’s flamboyant rival during the World Grand Prix.
The character’s design and name draw on Italian motorsport imagery. He is painted in the colors of the Italian flag and speaks with an Italian accent, while his confident behavior turns the racing competition into a personal contest with Lightning.
The World Grand Prix takes the characters to several international locations, including Japan, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The Italian race takes place in Porto Corsa, a fictional coastal city inspired by the appearance of Italian seaside communities.
Francesco is voiced by John Turturro in the English version. Although he initially behaves as if Lightning is beneath him, their rivalry eventually becomes less hostile as the larger spy plot threatens the competitors and the event itself.