History of Ferrari F1 team

Ferrari, one of the longest-serving and winningest Formula 1 teams, is steeped in tradition and exudes charisma. The only Grand Prix team to manufacture its own engine, gearbox and chassis, its internal politics, fanned by the close attentions of the Italian press, continue to amaze and entertain the paddock. Quite simply the Grand Prix world would be completely different without Ferrari.

Some of the top names of the sport, including Alberto Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio, Mike Hawthorn, Phil Hill, John Surtees, Niki Lauda, Jody Sheckter, Gerhard Berger, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Gilles Villeneuve have all been associated with the marque.

Team founder Enzo Ferrari initially ran cars for Alfa Romeo, but, after World War II, his racers bore the Ferrari name. First Grand Prix success came in 1951, and the wins have been piling up ever since, with the odd super-successful season punctuated by too many when the red cars have not fulfilled their potential.

Nevertheless, nine Drivers' titles and eight Constructors' crowns are an enduring achievement, and Ferrari continues to be the best-supported marque in the Grand Prix world. The team are still currently the sport’s most succesful, with 113 wins to McLaren’s 107 and Williams’ 103.

Enzo Ferrari ruled the team until his death in 1988, and the latest man to be charged by Ferrari's owner Fiat with regaining the glory days is Luca di Montezemolo, a man who was credited with much of the success enjoyed by Niki Lauda in the mid 1970s.

After several lean years in the early 1990s, ex-Peugeot man Jean Todt was hired to bring some order to the team. The lack of results continued, but Todt steadily brought together the pieces that would transform Ferrari back to a dominant force in motor racing. For 1996, the team had the benefit of the world’s leading driver in Michael Schumacher, but poor mid-season reliability meant they were unable to challenge for the title. Brilliant driving by Schumacher at a drenched Spanish Grand Prix, and victories on merit at Spa and Monza meant that the team looked positively to 1997.

It would turn out to be one of their most succesful seasons to date, with Schumacher almost clinching the team’s first title since Jody Schekter in 1979. Five inspired wins allied with numerous points finishes had Schumacher leading the Drivers’ Championship before the controversial collision with title-rival Jacques Villeneueve at Jerez that left him in the gravel and ultimately excluded from the championship. A new car from ex-Benetton duo Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne has team management demanding a championship in 1999 and they got it as they fought long and hard and took it by 4 points from Mclaren.

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