The combined effect of the word ‘car’ and ‘Italy’ usually conjures up images of fabulous road trips along dazzling locations such as the Amalfi Coast or the Italian Alps, but the chairman of Italy’s – and perhaps the world’s – most famous car brand, Ferrari, has become embroiled in Italy’s complex political and economic problems.

Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has called for Silvio Berlusconi to step down as Prime Minister, saying that his country had reached ‘the point of no return’. In an open letter to one of the country’s leading dailies – La Republika – the sports car chief said a ‘government of national salvation’ was needed.

Italy has huge public debt, amounting to 120% of national GDP, and in the worse case, could be forced out of the eurozone – a dramatic event not only for Europe, but for the world – since Italy is such a large economy.

It is not common for someone as respected as the chairman of Ferrari to step into the political fray in this way, but it does show the gravity of the situation.

Despite the tough times ahead for Italy though, the nation’s love of the good life; delicious food, fine wine – and of course fast cars – mean it’s still a fantastic place to enjoy a road trip. Don’t forget your short term European or annual breakdown cover though!