Unforgettable Car Geniuses: Mauro Forghieri

At the end of 1961, Mauro Forghieri, then 26 years old, had recently graduated in engineering and had been working at Ferrari for two years in the technical department as an engine specialist. His first work experience was exhilarating: at Maranello, the technical responsibility for the racing department was in the hands of the famous Carlo Chiti, assisted by another genius, engineer Giotto Bizzarrini, who was also part of the company’s management team. During those years, Ferrari had spectacular results: securing the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Titles in Formula 1, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the 250 Testa Rossa in both 1960 and 1961, and claiming the World Championship for sports cars. The young engineer Forghieri was thriving but never imagined he would suddenly find himself responsible for Technical Direction.

It was January 1962 when Enzo Ferrari summoned him to his office to inform him that, after the turbulent departure of Chiti and Bizzarrini, technical responsibility would be his. Ferrari, known as an “agitator of men,” proved to be a discoverer of talent with this decision. Forghieri's capabilities became evident immediately: the famous 250 GTO was under development but failing to meet expectations. Forghieri decisively addressed weight distribution (downforce through a redesigned tail) and numerous technical details, transforming it almost magically into the world’s most successful and coveted car. Simultaneously, he developed two new engines, a V8 and a V12, for Formula 1, reclaiming the World Title in 1964.