Ferrari: The Legend of the Prancing Horse

USPA NEWS - The Roots: Enzo Ferrari and a Passion for Speed
The story of Ferrari is inseparably linked to the figure of Enzo Ferrari, born in Modena on February 18, 1898. After attending a car race in Bologna as a child, Enzo developed a passion that would define his entire life. After World War I, he began working for CMN and later for Alfa Romeo, where he distinguished himself as a driver and organizer.
In 1929, he founded Scuderia Ferrari, initially as a racing team affiliated with Alfa Romeo. The Scuderia managed competition cars and trained drivers, quickly becoming a benchmark in the racing world.

The Birth of Ferrari Automobili (1947) After separating from Alfa Romeo in 1939, Enzo Ferrari founded Auto Avio Costruzioni, which produced the 815, a race car that competed in the 1940 Mille Miglia. However, it was only in 1947 that Ferrari S.p.A. was officially born, with the presentation of the 125 S, the first car to bear the Ferrari name, equipped with a V12 engine designed by Gioachino Colombo. The 125 S won its first race in Rome, and from that moment Ferrari began building its reputation as a manufacturer of racing and road cars. ???? Rise in Racing: Formula 1 and Endurance (1950–1970) Ferrari debuted in Formula 1 in 1950, participating in the first World Championship. The first victory came in 1951 with José Froilán González. In 1952 and 1953, Alberto Ascari won two consecutive world titles, solidifying the Scuderia’s position. In the 1950s and 1960s, Ferrari also dominated endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning nine times between 1949 and 1965. Models such as the 250 Testa Rossa, 330 P4, and the legendary 250 GTO became symbols of engineering excellence and stylistic beauty.

Crisis, Innovation, and Rebirth (1970–1988) The 1970s were turbulent. Ferrari won the title with Niki Lauda in 1975 and 1977, but the driver’s crash at Nürburgring in 1976 marked a dramatic moment. After Jody Scheckter’s title in 1979, the Scuderia entered a period of decline. Meanwhile, road car production continued to grow with models like the Dino 246 GT, 365 GTB/4 Daytona, and 512 BB. In 1984, the Testarossa was launched, one of the most iconic Ferraris of the 1980s. Enzo Ferrari died on August 14, 1988. His passing marked the end of an era, but his spirit continued to live on in the brand. The Schumacher Era and Return to Glory (1989–2008) In the 1990s, Ferrari restructured the Scuderia with the arrival of Jean Todt, Ross Brawn, and Michael Schumacher. After years of development, Ferrari returned to dominate Formula 1: from 2000 to 2004, it won five consecutive drivers’ titles and six constructors’ titles. Meanwhile, road production expanded with models like the F355, 360 Modena, F430, and the Enzo Ferrari, a hypercar dedicated to the founder.

Globalization and Extreme Luxury (2009–2019) In the new millennium, Ferrari established itself as a global luxury brand. The lineup expanded with cars like the California, 458 Italia, FF, and LaFerrari, the brand’s first hybrid. In 2015, Ferrari separated from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and was listed on the stock exchange. The company began positioning itself not only as a sports car manufacturer but also as a lifestyle brand, with boutiques, merchandising, and exclusive experiences. Scuderia Ferrari Today Scuderia Ferrari remains the most successful team in Formula 1 history, with 16 constructors’ titles and 15 drivers’ titles. After years of ups and downs, the team continues to fight to return to the top, with young talents like Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Design, Craftsmanship, and Culture Every Ferrari is built with artisanal care, combining cutting-edge technology and Italian design. The Ferrari Styling Center in Maranello works closely with engineers and designers to create cars that are true works of art on four wheels. Ferrari is also a protagonist in the world of art, fashion, and cinema. It has appeared in films like Miami Vice, Scent of a Woman, Ford v Ferrari, and has inspired artists and collectors worldwide.

The Most Iconic Ferrari Formula 1 Cars (1952–2025) Over its long history in Formula 1, Ferrari has produced some of the most legendary race cars in motorsport. These models not only won races and championships but also embodied the technical and stylistic evolution of the category. Ferrari 500 F2 (1952–1953) • Driver: Alberto Ascari • Titles: 2 Drivers’ Championships • Specs: 2-liter 4-cylinder engine, lightweight and reliable chassis • Trivia: Dominated the championship with 9 consecutive wins, a record at the time Ferrari 156 "Sharknose" (1961) • Driver: Phil Hill • Titles: Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships • Specs: Revolutionary design with “shark nose,” V6 engine • Trivia: First Ferrari with rear engine, marking a technical shift in F1

Ferrari 312T (1975–1980) • Drivers: Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter • Titles: 3 Drivers’, 4 Constructors’ Championships • Specs: Transverse gearbox (“T” stands for “Transversale”), V12 engine • Trivia: One of Ferrari’s longest-lived and most successful race cars Ferrari F2002 (2002) • Driver: Michael Schumacher • Titles: Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships • Specs: Advanced aerodynamics, extreme reliability, ultra-fast gearbox • Trivia: Won 15 out of 17 races, one of the most dominant F1 cars ever Ferrari F2004 (2004) • Driver: Michael Schumacher • Titles: Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships • Specs: Evolution of the F2002, 900 HP V10 engine • Trivia: Still holds some qualifying and race speed records Ferrari SF70H (2017) • Drivers: Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Räikkönen • Specs: Hybrid V6 turbo engine, aggressive aerodynamics • Trivia: First competitive Ferrari of the hybrid era, capable of fighting for the title

Ferrari SF90 (2019) • Drivers: Sebastian Vettel, Charles Leclerc • Specs: Powerful engine, rigid chassis, elegant design • Trivia: Marked Leclerc’s rise as Ferrari’s new talent Ferrari SF-23 (2023) • Drivers: Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz • Specs: Technical evolution focused on aerodynamics and tire management • Trivia: Showed potential but also strategic and reliability limitations Ferrari SF-24 (2024) • Drivers: Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz Jr. • Specs: o Ferrari 066/12 1.6L turbo hybrid V6 engine o Honeycomb composite chassis with carbon fiber o 8-speed longitudinal gearbox + reverse, semi-automatic o Push-rod front suspension, pull-rod rear o Brembo carbon brakes, electronic rear brake system • Innovations: o Third ground-effect generation car, with a completely revised design o Designed to be more predictable and easier to drive o Livery inspired by the success of the Las Vegas special edition

Ferrari SF-25 (2025)
• Drivers: Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton
• Specs:
o Ferrari 066/15 1.6L turbo hybrid V6 engine
o 4 MJ battery, 120 kW MGU-K
o Carbon fiber chassis with Halo protection
o 8-speed longitudinal gearbox + reverse, semi-automatic
o “Racing Red 2025” darker livery with white and blue accents
• Innovations:
o Radical evolution from the SF-24, focused on aerodynamic efficiency and energy management
o Designed to maximize performance in all conditions
o First Ferrari F1 car driven by Lewis Hamilton
These latest cars represent Ferrari’s attempt to return to the top of Formula 1, combining experience (Hamilton), talent (Leclerc), and technical innovation.
Conclusion: The Prancing Horse Never Stops
Ferrari is not just a car brand: it is a universal symbol of excellence, passion, and speed. From the streets.