In the racetracks of Modena, an icon was born ready to achieve greatness. This Italian steed galloped through history, roaring like thunder and leaving a trail of eternal elegance, exhilarating speed, and monumental glory in its wake. The name Ferrari emerged! A brand synonymous with performance, luxury, and an appetite for victory. Much like its Roman ancestors, Ferrari is a conqueror–a victorious gladiator on both the tracks and streets.
So how did this prancing stallion jump from being a track champion to a global phenomenon? This is a glimpse at the thrilling history of Ferrari–a story fueled by passion, innovation, and the desire to win.
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1920: It All Started With Enzo
Did you know the Alfa Romeo paved the way for Ferrari? Two decades into the 20th century, a young, ambitious, and persevering test driver called “Enzo Ferrari” joined Alfa Romeo. Fast forward to 1929, after almost a decade of success, Enzo founded Scuderia Ferrari, which acted as a racing division for Alfa Romeo at the time and is the official racing division for Ferrari today.
1939: The End of An Era
In 1931, Enzo quit the tracks to focus more on home and his firstborn son Alfredo, commonly known as Dino. Nonetheless, he continued working with Scuderia and manufacturing cars for Alpha Romeo until 1939. Not only was that year grim for the entire world, but it also witnessed a significant disagreement between Enzo and Alfa Romeo which brought their partnership to a conclusive end. After Enzo’s departure, he founded his own company, Auto-Avio Costruzioni, which supplied parts to other racing teams.
1947: A Legend Is Born
The official history of Ferrari began in 1947 when Enzo Ferrari founded Ferrari S.p.A. Back then, production was focused on high-performance sports cars, proudly presenting the first true Ferrari–the iconic 125 S. The model sported a unique shade of red known as ‘Rosso Barchetta’ and gave Ferrari its first race victory at the 1947 Grand Prix of Rome.
1952: A Crown for a King
In 1952, just two years after entering the Formula 1 scene, Ferrari secured a dominant victory in its first full season. Alberto Ascari, the team’s star driver, secured the Driver’s World Championship title with an impressive streak of wins. This marked a significant moment in Ferrari’s history, solidifying its position as a major force in Formula 1 racing.
1963: Ferrari vs. Ford
After going public in 1960, Ferrari sought a reliable partner to streamline manufacturing and dedicate more investments to development. In 1963, Ford seemed like a match made in heaven, and a deal between the two auto giants was almost completed. However, a dispute over control saw the deal fall apart at the very last minute. What could’ve been a monumental merger, turned into a bitter rivalry.
1975: Champions Again
Even though Ferrari eventually sold half of its shares to Fiat in 1969, they never lost their touch, especially in the decade that followed. Ferrari enjoyed great success in the 70s as they dominated the racetracks, winning the 1975, 1977, and 1979 Formula 1 Championships. Once again proving themselves a fierce competitor in the racing world.
1988: A Bittersweet Symphony
The 1980s was a golden age for the prancing stallion. The decade witnessed the production of several iconic cars, most significantly, the 288 GTO, F40, and the sleek-looking Testarossa, solidifying Ferrari’s position as a multi-dimensional brand. However, this celebratory decade was also marked by a significant loss. In 1988, Enzo Ferrari, the company’s visionary founder and driving force, passed away at the age of 90. His death left a void in the company, and it marked the end of an era.
1991: The Montezemolo Reign
In 1991, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo became president of Ferrari, bringing an upturn in fortunes. Over 13 years, he increased the profitability of Ferrari’s road cars, expanded licensing deals, and completely revolutionized Ferrari’s Formula 1 performance.
2004: New Century, New Success
Ferrari continued to outperform everyone on the Formula 1 tracks. The Ferrari team was unmatched, securing 5 consecutive World Constructors’ championship titles from 2000 to 2004. Meanwhile, the legendary Michael Schumacher won 5 World Drivers’ championships in a row, becoming one of the most decorated drivers of all time.
2023: Eyes on the Electric Future
After multiple changes at the top, as of 2023, Ferrari is overseen by CEO Benedetto Vigna. The marque endured an extended dry spell in F1, with over 16 years without a championship. In 2021, Ferrari announced plans to release its first fully electric model (due to arrive in 2025).
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