Enzo Ferrari: The Visionary Who Built a Racing Empire

“Second Place is the First Loser” - Enzo Ferrari, 1898-1988, at his company's factory in Maranello Credit: Thomas D McAvoy/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

Whether intentionally or by dint of fate the inaugural F1 Live event, 18th February, coincided with the birthday of Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari. (Though officially his birth certificate records the date as being 20th February, it is widely accepted that Ferrari was born 2 days earlier on 18th February). Regarded as one of two ‘founding fathers’ of the sport, Bernie Ecclestone being the other, Ferrari is remembered as one of the most influential figures in motorsport and automotive engineering. He led a life full of drama and excitement although it was often mired by personal tragedy.

Enzo Anselmo Ferrari was born on February 20, 1898, in Modena, Italy. His early life was marked by hardship. His father and older brother both died of the flu in 1916, leaving Enzo and his mother to manage the family’s small metalworking/carpentry business. During World War I, he was drafted into the Italian Army, but his service was cut short due to illness. Upon his return to civilian life, he struggled to find work, at one time even being unsuccessful in volunteering his services to Fiat.

In 1919, at the age of 21 Ferrari managed to secure a job as a test driver for Costruzioni Meccaniche Nazionali (CMN), an automobile company in Milan. His skill and ambition quickly became evident, and he soon transitioned into competitive racing. That same year he made his debut in a hill climb race, the Parma-Poggio di Berceto.

Ferrari’s racing career took off when he joined the racing department of Alfa Romeo in 1920. Over the next several years, he developed into a respected race car driver, earning multiple victories. However, despite his successes, in part due to the shock he felt from on track driver deaths, he realised that his true calling lay not in driving but in managing and developing race cars. This realisation led him to shift focus from racing to team management and organisational aspects of Grand Prix racing.

In 1929, Ferrari founded Scuderia Ferrari, a team of superstar drivers, initially as a racing division of Alfa Romeo. In 1932, following the birth of his son, Ferrari retired from driving having competed in 41 Grand Prix with 11 wins. Under Ferrari’s leadership together with excellent cars like the Alfa Romeo P3, Scuderia Ferrari became a dominant force in European motorsport throughout the 1930s.

However, in 1937, Alfa Romeo decided to take direct control of its racing division by dissolving Scuderia Ferrari and retaining Ferrari in a more administrative role as Sporting Director.

After 2 years, in 1939, Ferrari left Alfa Romeo altogether. Contractual restrictions prevented him from racing or designing cars for four years. Undeterred, Ferrari founded Auto Avio Costruzioni, which initially focused on manufacturing machine tools, aircraft components and supplying car parts to other racing teams. However, he still harboured ambitions in motorsport. In 1940, his company built the 815 Auto Avio Costruzioni, to participate in the Milo Miglia. Whilst World War II interrupted his plans, forcing him to undertake war production at the behest of the Government, Ferrari continued to develop his ideas for high-performance racing cars at their newly relocated home, in Maranello

After the war, in 1947, Ferrari officially established Ferrari S.p.A.. The first car to bear his name was the 125 S, which made its racing debut the same year. Powered by a V12 engine designed by Gioachino Colombo, the 125 S won its second race. Within 2 years. in 1949, they achieved their first major victory by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Ferrari 166 MM.

In 1950 Ferrari enrolled in the newly created Drivers World Championship and amazingly is the only team to continuously participate in it from inception.

Ferrari’s team quickly became a powerhouse in Formula One, securing its first Formula One World Championship in 1952 with driver Alberto Ascari. In 1953 Ferrari entered the Indianapolis 500 for the first and last time, crashing out on lap 41. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s the team established a dominance in motorsport securing numerous victories in Grand Prix and other events like the Mille Miglia and 24 Hours of Le Mans with Ferrari undertaking continued refinement of his cars.

Despite his professional success, Ferrari’s personal life was filled with tragedy. His son, Dino Ferrari, suffered from muscular dystrophy and passed away in 1956 at the age of 24. This loss deeply affected Ferrari, who often wore dark glasses and rarely appeared in public after Dino’s death. In honour of his son, he developed the Ferrari Dino series, a line of smaller, more affordable sports cars.

As seems to be the trait of many inspirational leaders, Ferrari had a very strong personality and what could be best described as a controversial management style.

Unfortunately, in 1962 this led to senior members of Ferrari’s team, including the chief engineer and sports car development lead, breaking way to form, Automobili Turismo e Sport, a direct car manufacturing and racing team competitor Ferrari, taking with them some of Ferrari’s winning drivers.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Ferrari maintained his focus on engineering excellence, despite mounting financial pressures.

Ferrari was forced to seek financially deep pocketed partners, leading in 1963 Ford’s failed bid to acquire Ferrari for $18MM, equivalent to $179MM in 2023, due to their perceived unwillingness to forgo control of the racing division to Ferrari.

Six years later, in 1969 Ferrari struck a deal with Fiat, selling a 50% stake in his company whilst critically retaining 100% control over its racing division. This partnership provided Ferrari with the necessary resources to continue developing cutting-edge technology while preserving its independence.

Under Ferrari’s leadership, the company flourished. It produced some of the most legendary cars in history, including the 250 GTO, the 365 GTB/4 Daytona, and later, the F40, which was the last model he personally oversaw.

Ferrari remained active in his company and racing team until his final years. He was known for his demanding nature, pursuit of perfection in a relentless drive to win. His leadership brought Ferrari to the pinnacle of motorsport, securing multiple Formula One World Championships.

Enzo Ferrari passed away on August 14, 1988, at the age of 90. His legacy endures through Ferrari S.p.A., which remains one of the most prestigious and successful automotive brands in the world. The Prancing Horse emblem, (Ferrari started using this in the 1920s in memory of a Italian fighter pilot killed in WW I, who had been given a necklace with the prancing horse just before take-off), synonymous with speed, luxury, and performance, continues to symbolize Ferrari’s unyielding pursuit of excellence.

Today, Ferrari’s impact on the automotive industry and motorsport remains unparalleled. His contributions to car design, engineering, and racing continue to inspire generations of enthusiasts, engineers, and drivers. His name will forever be linked with innovation, competition, and the relentless quest for perfection.