2.- Career and Alfa Romeo
3.- Creation of the "Prancing Horse"
4.- Death of Enzo Ferrari
5.- Ferrari Today
1.- Birth and Family of Enzo Ferrari
Born Enzo Anselmo Giuseppe Maria Ferrari in 1898 in Modena, Italy, the creator of the prestigious Ferrari marque came from a family consisting of parents Alfredo and Adalgisa, along with an elder brother. His father ran a metalworks company specialising in railway components, which instilled in young Enzo a particular passion for all things automotive.
2.- Career and Alfa Romeo
After studying engineering, Ferrari left education following the deaths of his father and brother during WWI. He served as a fireman until 1918 before military service, later becoming a test driver for CMN. Alfa Romeo selected him as their brand ambassador, racing their competition cars during this golden age of motorsport.
Following numerous races, Enzo claimed victory at the 1923 Ravenna Grand Prix - a triumph that spurred him to further successes, including three additional race wins that cemented his reputation. By 1932, he retired from driving to focus on family life and race car development, proposing to Alfa Romeo a new role as designer and sales representative. This led to the creation of "Scuderia Ferrari" - the racing division.
The outbreak of WWII severed ties between Alfa Romeo and Ferrari's operation. This motorsport hiatus saw Enzo establish "Auto Avio Costruzioni Ferrari", supplying Italy's aviation industry. His 1947 return to racing produced the "Ferrari 125", though a fuel pump failure at Piacenza ended his final drive just laps from the finish.
3.- Creation of the "Prancing Horse"
The iconic Ferrari emblem traces its origins to Italian WWI flying ace Francesco Baracca, who adorned his aircraft's fuselage with the family's rearing stallion insignia. After his Ravenna victory, Enzo met Baracca's parents - Countess Paolina and Count Enrico Baracca - who persuaded him to adopt the symbol for his racing team, promising it would bring good fortune.
Over time, Ferrari refined the Prancing Horse badge, incorporating Modena's yellow and red colours. Though racing remained his passion, financial pressures forced Enzo to develop road cars. The 1969 agreement with Fiat saw the Turin giant take a 50% stake, later becoming majority shareholder by 1988.
4.- Death of Enzo Ferrari
Suffering from kidney disease and leukaemia in later life, Enzo Ferrari passed away in 1988 at age 90.
5.- Ferrari Today
Today, Ferrari NV's majority shareholder remains Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis), with 5% held by Enzo's heirs and another 5% by UAE investment vehicles.
From thunderous V12 grand tourers to cutting-edge Formula 1 machines, Ferrari's relentless pursuit of performance continues to be matched only by its signature elegance - maintaining its position as the world's most coveted luxury automotive brand.
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