HISTORY MAKERS
Want to know how Ferrari became what it is today? The influence of this little lot...
GIOACCHINO COLOMBO
What is more associated with Ferrari’s early race and road cars than the V12 engine? Engineer Colombo met Ferrari in 1945, and outlined his V12. Enzo was receptive, and Colombo’s resulting engine was good enough to stand modernisation for four decades, right up to the 412i. It began as a GP engine but soon became the staple for endurance racing and the emblematic Sixties and Seventies road cars.
MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
If it weren’t for MS, the red cars would have won only one F1 drivers’ title since the Seventies. Hardly a good look for a company where racing is pivotal. Schumacher was the complete package; skilled, tactical, analytical, calm. Todt and Brawn built the team around him and were rewarded with six constructors’ championships and five drivers’ championships on the trot for him.
ENZO FERRARI
Enzo had been a race driver and Alfa’s GP team manager. Starting his own company in 1947, he aimed straight for the top, winning Le Mans and a GP within four years. Ahead of his time, he prioritised publicity and brand. He was a hard, abrasive but effective boss, and very private. But he knew human emotion. Many drivers died, and Enzo truly mourned them, but accepted it as a necessary toll.
LUCA MONTEZEMOLO
He was Enzo’s assistant, and just as important to Ferrari history. He managed the F1 team that took Lauda to two championships. After Enzo died, Ferrari’s race and road divisions struggled. He returned to sort both out. Across the detail himself, he also empowered superb managers and engineers while he expanded the branding activities, customer racing and global footprint.
AMEDEO FELISA
Chief engineer since the time of the 355 and 550 Maranello, Felisa is responsible for the character of modern Ferrari road cars. He added user-friendly handling, high tech and a practicality to their charisma. You can’t do that alone, so he built a creative team and organisation that could design and build the world’s best supercars time and again. After LM left, he was a charming yet publicity shy CEO from 2008 to 2016.