Ferrari is, without doubt, the world’s most beloved motor racing team with fans extending well beyond those with an Italian heritage or ownership of a sexy two-door road car. No other Formula 1 team does drama and politics quite like Ferrari but their place in history is secure as the only team that has been there since the start of the world championship in 1950. Of the 10 current F1 teams, the second oldest has been on the grid since 1966 — and that’s called McLaren. Ferrari are an institution and a big part of their reputation can be attributed to their long-time technical director, Mauro Forghieri, who passed away in early November at the age of 87.
He joined Ferrari’s engine department in early 1960 and stayed for 27 years. Initially he split his time between the racing and road car divisions but, following the mass exodus in 1961, he was the only qualified engineer left. At only 27 he was appointed technical director by Enzo Ferrari and he held the position until 1984, meaning his designs won world championships in 1964, 1975/77, and 1979 for John Surtees, Niki Lauda, and
