More About Ferrari
Racing bloodline, Italian craft, and an obsession with performance — this is the Cavallino Rampante.
What Is Ferrari?
Ferrari is an Italian luxury sports-car manufacturer rooted in Maranello, born from the vision of Enzo Ferrari. Since the first Ferrari-badged car in 1947, the name has stood for speed, racing glory, and unmistakable Italian design.
The brand emerged from Enzo’s early workshop, Auto Avio Costruzioni (1939), and quickly became a symbol of innovation and motorsport success once the prancing horse appeared on the 125 S.
How Ferrari Started
Enzo Ferrari began as a racing driver for Alfa Romeo in the 1920s, then pivoted to building and organizing race cars — his true passion. Key milestones:
- 1929 — Scuderia Ferrari: a racing team running Alfa Romeos for gentleman drivers.
- 1939 — Auto Avio Costruzioni: Enzo’s own company in Modena, building components and race cars under a non-compete.
- 1947 — Ferrari 125 S: the first true Ferrari, a V12 racer that won its debut in Rome.
From day one, road cars existed to fund racing — not the other way around.
The Prancing Horse
The black prancing horse (Cavallino Rampante) first appeared on WWI flying ace Francesco Baracca’s plane. After a race win in Ravenna, Baracca’s mother urged Enzo to use the emblem for luck. Ferrari added a Modena-yellow shield in 1932, and by 1947 the 125 S carried the badge that still defines the brand.
Why Ferrari Exists
- Racing DNA — Born as a racing team, competition remains the core identity.
- Excellence & Innovation — Engineering and craftsmanship aimed at intense, emotional performance.
- Italian Design & Culture — Elegance, detail, and style as important as speed.
Racing Heritage
Ferrari’s legend was forged on track:
- Launched its own racers in 1947 and won immediately with the 125 S.
- Entered Formula One in 1950; today it is the oldest and most decorated team in F1 history.
- Dominated endurance events like Le Mans and Mille Miglia through the 1950s–60s, using racing as the test bed for road cars.
Road Cars & Innovation
Ferrari road cars brought the badge into everyday culture — from front-engined V12 GTs to mid-engined icons. Highlights:
- Front-engined V12 GTs shaped by Italian coachbuilders.
- Mid-engined breakthroughs like the Dino 206 GT set the template for future supercars.
- Icons such as 250 GTO, F40, Enzo, and LaFerrari became auction legends.
- Modern lineup spans supercars, grand tourers, and a performance SUV — all in limited numbers to preserve exclusivity.
Ferrari Today
Headquartered in Maranello and listed publicly, Ferrari ships under 14,000 cars a year, investing heavily in hybrid tech and the path to full electrification while keeping its racing soul intact.