What is the name of the Italian racing car who competes in Pixar’s Cars 2?

Francesco Bernoulli is the Italian racing car who competes in Pixar’s Cars 2.

Francesco is a Formula-style racer and one of Lightning McQueen’s major competitors in the World Grand Prix. He is painted in the colors of the Italian flag and is known for his confidence, speed, and flamboyant personality. His rivalry with Lightning begins as a contest of pride but becomes part of the film’s larger international racing story.

The character is voiced by John Turturro in the English version. Francesco’s design reflects open-wheel racing rather than the stock-car shape associated with Lightning and the Piston Cup. That visual difference helps establish the variety of racing disciplines represented in Cars 2.

Francesco is sometimes confused with Luigi, the yellow Fiat 500 who owns a tire shop in Radiator Springs. Luigi is Lightning’s friend and does not compete as the Italian World Grand Prix racer. Francesco Bernoulli is the specific name associated with Cars 2’s Italian champion.