“I DROVE THE PUROSANGUE AS SOON AS I ARRIVED”
Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari since June 2021, previously ran STMicroelectronics, a Geneva-based technology and semiconductor company. We met him in his office
TG: How often do you drive the cars?
BV: I’m on the track every few weeks I drove the Purosangue as soon as I arrived During the night too I remember a session past midnight TG: Launching a car like the Purosangue with a V but no hybrid is punchy Does Ferrari risk a perception problem here even if the purists and enthusiasts are happy?
BV: When we disclosed that the Purosangue would have a naturally aspirated V the traction from customers was very strong I don’t know what your impression is but the ostracism of internal combustion engines is changing a little bit It’s true that some people will not like the V because it’s an ICE but the perception so far is very good
TG: What about the new era of near bhp pure electric hypercars? No one needs that much power but do your clients want it?
BV: This weekend I was with a Ferrari and there was another car an electric one It could compete with me on a straight line but lost momentum in the corners We’re doing in depth work and using all our experience so that we can deliver a continuous consistent and authentic Ferrari driving experience ’s electric Ferrari will be unique a true Ferrari There is some space over there We are working a lot to maintain the soul of the machine
TG: Describe your management style
BV: I like to manage being close to the people So I know all the buildings all the people I like to have meetings everywhere I don’t like to be in orbit looking down on Earth from the spaceship because it will look like a perfect sphere from up there I like to be in the middle of it all For me there are three types of company There are those where the people work for the boss the ones where the people work for the company and then there is the sort beyond that where the people are working for the myth or the spirit You can feel it here
TG: It’s also your job to plot a course and steer Ferrari through increasingly unpredictable times
BV: I come from a world where you go to sleep at night and wake up the next morning and the world is different Things are always changing but it depends how you manage the change For us change presents the opportunity to do better Today that change has the name electrification In years’ time it will have a different name
TG: We’re also living through a wave of startups who are highly valued despite having no history Do you really care about heritage? BV: For sure I care If we are here it’s because the past has worked well There are advantages and disadvantages to being a start up You don’t have to worry about the brand you don’t have to take care of the heritage But without that heritage they cannot sell the dream Bringing the two together is like meshing two gears The Purosangue is a good example There is tradition here it’s powered by a V engine it’s naturally aspirated but there is innovation too