Italian Grand Prix

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Monza has witnessed Ferrari's most defining moments, from early dominance to tragic setbacks. In 1951, the team secured its first world championship Grand Prix win with José Froilán González at Silverstone, an event so emotionally charged that Enzo Ferrari reportedly cried like a baby upon defeating the mighty Alfetta 159. The following year, Alberto Ascari claimed the first of his consecutive titles, repeating the feat in 1953. However, success came with deep personal cost; the death of driver Ugo Sivocci in 1923 and Antonio Ascari in 1925 left Enzo racing half-heartedly for a time. The team's resilience was tested further during the "Great Walkout" of 1962, when key figures like Carlo Chiti and Giotto Bizzarrini departed to form ATS. Despite this loss, Ferrari promoted Mauro Forghieri and hired drivers like John Surtees, who won the world title in 1964 after a tense battle with Jim Clark and Graham Hill.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Scuderia Ferrari is woven through specific victories and legendary figures. In 1923, Enzo won his first Grand Prix on the Savio Circuit in Ravenna, followed by three wins in 1924 including the Coppa Acerbo in Pescara. The team's identity was cemented when he adopted Francesco Baracca's prancing horse emblem after the pilot's death in World War I; this shield first appeared on a factory Ferrari in 1947. The racing department faced existential threats, such as Alfa Romeo withdrawing support in 1933 due to financial constraints, only for Pirelli to intervene and restore the partnership. A historic triumph occurred in 1935 when Tazio Nuvolari defeated Rudolf Caracciola and Bernd Rosemeyer at their home turf, the German Grand Prix. Later, victories at Le Mans became a hallmark of success, including six consecutive wins from 1960 to 1965, alongside Formula One successes by Juan Manuel Fangio in 1956, Mike Hawthorn in 1958, and Phil Hill in 1961.

Reader's Guide

Navigating the history of Scuderia Ferrari requires understanding its evolution from a racing division to an independent marque. Founded as Scuderia Ferrari in 1929 to act as Alfa Romeo's racing arm, the team utilized cars like the Alfa Romeo P3 and drivers such as Tazio Nuvolari. Enzo retired from competitive driving after participating in 41 Grands Prix with 11 wins. In 1937, Scuderia Ferrari dissolved, leading Enzo to found Auto-Avio Costruzioni before establishing Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947. The company's open-wheel debut occurred in Turin in 1948, with the first win later that year at Lago di Garda. A major milestone was the 1949 24 Hours of Le Mans victory by Luigi Chinetti and Peter Mitchell-Thomson in a Ferrari 166 MM. The team also attempted the Indianapolis 500 in 1953, though Alberto Ascari crashed on lap 41. Throughout these decades, Enzo Ferrari's leadership remained constant, earning him nicknames like "il Commendatore" and "l'Ingegnere," while his philosophy that "Second place is the first loser" drove every decision.

Did You Know?

• Enzo Ferrari's birth certificate states he was born on 20 February 1898, though his actual birth date was 18 February.
• The famous prancing horse emblem was originally sported by Italian fighter pilot Francesco Baracca before Enzo adopted it in memory of the pilot's death in 1918.
• In 1935, Tazio Nuvolari achieved a legendary victory for Ferrari at the German Grand Prix, defeating Rudolf Caracciola and Bernd Rosemeyer on their home turf.
• Following the "Great Walkout" in 1962, John Surtees won the world title in 1964 for Ferrari after a tense battle with Jim Clark and Graham Hill.
• Enzo Ferrari was charged with manslaughter following the 1957 Mille Miglia crash that killed Alfonso de Portago, his co-driver, and nine spectators; the prosecution was dismissed in 1961.