The turning point. Ferrari takes advantage of the German offensive to prepare to become a constructor

Legend has it that Tazio Nuvolari, on the eve of the 1935 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring where his antiquated P3 was due to contend with nine official Mercedes and Auto Union, asked whether the Italian flag had been prepared for the podium. Apparently, the officials looked at him with a mixture of incredulity and sympathy. And yet Nuvolari knew, as only the greats can, that he could do pull this off and, the next day, he brought home one of the most beautiful victories of all for Scuderia Ferrari and Alfa Romeo.

Up until that moment, however, the road had been anything but a smooth one for Enzo: after the many successes together at the beginning of the decade, Nuvolari tried to extend his power by asking that the name of Scuderia Ferrari become Scuderia Ferrari - Nuvolari. Although he was only too aware of the importance of the driver at a time when Alfa Romeo were not at the peak of their performance, Enzo denied his request and their relationship collapsed. The Ferrari name had to remain unique! In 1933, Alfa Romeo withdrew from racing and entrusted Ferrari with the activity through the Scuderia, but did not provide him with P3s which remained silent in Milan. Ferrari attempted to overcome this shortcoming with the engagement and victories of Achille Varzi that allowed the Scuderia to remain competitive. For his part, Nuvolari, after racing with Maserati, was unable to join the Auto Union team, and only re-joined the team two years for the 1935 season.