Ferrari History - Enzo Ferrari, F1

The car that has become a legend and won numerous races and competitions is ranged as a symbol of speed, luxury, racing and victory. Passionate, stylish Ferraris are purchased on 52 markets by leading racers and the well-to-do who dream about feeling the world of speed, competition and winning.

Enzo Ferrari was born in Modena, Italy on February 18, 1898. His parents owned a metal foundry but his father and brother died during the World War II and soon after it the business collapsed. Enzo Ferrari left school to run the foundry and then to earn money for the whole family working as a metalworker.

But his main passion was racing. When Enzo Ferrari was 10 his father took him to the race in Bologna for the first time. It was due to these races that Ferrari became obsessed with idea of becoming a racing car driver.

Finally in 1919 he entered the world of racing as a Targa Florio car driver. He finished ninth that time but that was only the beginning. Alfa Romeo offered him the 1920 Targa Florio and Enzo Ferrarin won second prize.

In 1923 Count Enrico and Countess Paolina Baracca presented Enzo Ferrari with the squadron badge of their son Francesco Baracca, one of the best Italian pilots who died during the war. The badge was the legendary prancing horse on the yellow shield.

Enzo Ferrari established Scuderia Ferrari ("Ferrari Stable") who worked with Alfa Romeo as sponsors and trainers. Enzo Ferrari was an employee of Alfa Romeo for many years and run their department of racing. But when he was said that Alfa Romeo planed to purchase Scuderia Ferrari he quit Alfa Romeo. By contract he was forbidden to race for a number of years therefore he switched to production of machine tools and aircraft accessories.

In 1943 the Ferrari company moved to Maranello, where it has remained ever since. World War II devastated the workshop and it was rebuilt only in 1946. That was time when the first ever Ferrari motorcar was developed, the 125 Sport. The 125 Sport raced in 1947 and since that time Ferrari's have succeeded in more than 5,000 competitions worldwide. Among these multiple successes you can find 9 Formula 1 Drivers' World titles, 14 Manufacturers' World titles, 8 Formula 1 Constructors' World Championships, more that a hundred wins in Formula 1 Grand Prix, wins at the Le Mans, Mille Miglia, Targa Floria and so on and so forth.

In 1969 Fiat Group became a 50% shareholder of Ferrari. But Ferrari was able to reserve autonomy. Today Fiat Group owns more than 50% of the share capital while the rest is owned by Medobanca, Commerzbank AG, Lehman Brothers, and Enzo's son Piero Ferrari.