Italian police foil plot to steal body of Formula One pioneer Enzo Ferrari

Investigators say 34 people have been arrested as part of a massive operation

Enzo Ferrari founded the company that produces some of the world's fastest and most expensive cars and died in 1988 at the age of 90 (Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Italian police have confirmed they foiled a plot 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.

Investigators in Nuoro, on the island of Sardinia, said 34 people had been arrested as part of a massive operation involving helicopters and parachute regiment officers.

They suspected a gang had planned to demand a ransom from the Ferrari family or company after spiriting away the body.

Police said the plot was discovered during an investigation into arms and drug trafficking.

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.

The gang members had allegedly inspected the site several times.

Hugh Jackman was reportedly in talks to play Mr Ferrari in a Michael Mann-directed film.

Christian Bale was originally set to play the entrepreneur but reportedly quit over concerns about how much weight he would have to gain for the role.

Robert De Niro has also been reported to have links with a different biopic about Mr Ferrari, but it is unclear how far the project has progressed.