A Track Record Of Excellence
The essence of excellence and sportiness, Ferrari needs no presentation. Its calling card is the numerous Formula One titles it has won: a total of 16 constructor's championships and 15 driver's championships. And of course, the impressive lineup of legendary GT models: cars that are unique for their design, technology and luxurious styling and that represent the best in Italian the world over.
The company's founder, Enzo Ferrari, was born in 1898 on the outskirts of Modena, Italy.
After working as a test-driver, he makes his competitive debut as a racing driver in 1919 and one year later, after a series of races in which he enjoys mixed fortunes, Enzo finishes second in the Targa Florio at the wheel of a 6-litre 4-cylinder Alfa Romeo Tipo 40/60.
This marks the start of a 20-year collaboration with the marque that will see Ferrari do everything from test-driving to racing to dealing before finally being appointed head of the Alfa Corse racing division.
In 1929 Ferrari founds the Scuderia Ferrari in Modena. The aim of this racing "stable" (this is what Scuderia literally means in Italian) is to allow owner-drivers to race. Its foundation marks the start of a burst of frenetic sporting activity that will lead to the creation of an official team. The Scuderia Ferrari fielded both cars (mainly Alfas) and motorbikes. In time it becomes a technical-racing outpost of Alfa Romeo and effectively takes over as its racing department in 1933.
In 1939, Enzo Ferrari leaves Alfa Romeo under the proviso that he does not use the Ferrari name in association with races or racing cars for at least four years, and he opens his own company at the headquarters of the old Scuderia Ferrari.
Ferrari becomes work on designing the first Ferrari in late 1945.
Ferrari company's history officially began in 1947 when the first car emerged from the gate of no. 4 Via Abetone Inferiore in Maranello: the 125 S. This historic two-seater would go on to win the Rome Gran Prix 1947 and shortly thereafter become a refined GT roadster.
The company has travelled a long way since then, but its mission has remained unaltered: to make unique sports cars that represent the finest in Italian auto design and craftsmanship, both on the track and on the road.
Ferrari joined the Fiat Group, the 1899 established Turin-based car manufacturer, in 1969 and today Fiat owns the 90% of Ferrari.
Since then, as Ferrari's major shareholder, the FIAT logo traditionally appears on Ferrari single-seater racing cars as a continuous supporter.
Today Ferrari together with Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Dodge, SRT and Mopar belongs to the major brands of Fiat Group.
