The Quadrifoglio serves as a symbolic tribute to the racing roots of Alfa Romeo, dating back to the early 20th century. In 1920, Italian racecar driver Ugo Sivocci received notice from the public as a talented and fast racer. However, his notoriety stemmed largely from the fact that he frequently came in second place often to famous drivers such as Enzo Ferrari. Ferrari and Sivocci quickly became close friends and their relationship played a key role in the Alfa Romeo brand and its lasting legacy. The two worked together for Alfa Romeo, immortalizing their names.
Before a 1923 race in Targa Florio, Ugo Sivocci painted a green four leaf clover, inside a square, on the side of his new vehicle. As a superstitious person, he did this in hopes of bringing himself good luck – and it worked. Ugo Sivocci won this particular race. Unfortunately, just a few weeks later during a test drive with a new vehicle that he did not have time to paint the clover on, he crashed and unfortunately passed away. In memory of Sivocci, Alfa Romeo removed one of the points on the square that the four leaf clover was painted in, by the former driver, to memorialize his legacy and pay tribute to the loss of the incredible driver.