Ferrari — is one of the most famous car brands in the world, synonymous with luxury, speed and engineering excellence. Founded in 1947 in the Italian town of Maranello, this company has turned from a small sports car factory into a real cultural icon. But Ferrari's story started even earlier — with a man named Enzo Ferrari.
The beginning of the journey
Enzo Ferrari was originally a racing driver for Alfa Romeo. In 1929, he founded a racing team Scuderia Ferrari, which prepared cars for Alfa Romeo. After breaking up with Alfa in 1939, he founded his own company — Auto Avio Costruzioni. The first car under the Ferrari brand appeared in 1947 — it was Ferrari 125 S with a 1.5-liter V12 engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo. Even then it was clear that it was not just a car —, it was the realization of a dream.
The people who created Ferrari
In addition to Enzo Ferrari, several iconic personalities played an important role in the creation and development of the brand:
Gioacchino Colombo <TAG1> engineer who designed the first V12 Ferrari, which became the basis for the legendary motor sound of the brand.
Luca di Montezemolo <TAG1> president of Ferrari from 1991 to 2014, who revived the brand after the crisis of the 1980s and brought it to the world level.
Michael Schumacher <TAG1> legendary driver that brought Ferrari five championship titles in Formula-1 (2000—2004), restoring the company's sporting glory.
Cult cars
Ferrari has created many iconic models that have left a mark on automotive history:
Ferrari 250 GTO (1962–1964) <TAG1> is considered the most valuable car in the world, one of the most famous classic sports cars.
Ferrari F40 (1987) <TAG1> the last car created during the lifetime of Enzo Ferrari, a true symbol of the 80s.
Ferrari Enzo (2002) <TAG1> hypercar, named after the founder, the embodiment of the latest technologies and design.
LaFerrari (2013) <TAG1> is the first hybrid Ferrari to combine a gasoline V12 and an electric motor, a real work of art.
Ferrari SF90 Stradale (2020) <TAG1> new era of power and electrification: 1000 hp. and revolutionary technical solutions.
Ferrari in sports
Scuderia Ferrari — is the most successful team in the history of Formula 1. She has over 240 wins and 16 Constructors' Cups. The names of Alberto Ascari, Niki Lauda, Gilles Villeneuve, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel are forever inscribed in the history of the team.
Ferrari in culture: movies and books
The Ferrari brand inspired not only motorists, but also artists, directors and writers. Here are some examples:
Movies:
Ferrari (2023, dir. Michael Mann) — biographical drama about the life of Enzo Ferrari.
Le Mans '66 / Ford v Ferrari (2019) — the story of the rivalry between Ford and Ferrari at the Le Mans race.
The 24 Hour War (2016, documentary) — a deeper look at the Ferrari-Ford confrontation in the 60s.
Books:
"Enzo Ferrari: The Man and the Machine" <TAG1> by Brock Yates, biography of the founder of the company.
"Ferrari 70 Years" <TAG1> complete illustrated brand history, by Dennis Adler.
"Go Like Hell" (A.J. Baime) — is a book about the struggles of Ferrari and Ford, which is made into a movie Le Mans '66.
Ferrari — are not just cars. These are emotions, style, victories and legends. It is a brand that not only creates the fastest cars, but also ignites the hearts of millions of fans around the world. The history of Ferrari — is a history of passion for perfection that has been going on for over 75 years.
