Binotto and Coletta pay tribute to Forghieri

Technical leader of the Team for 25 years, and involved in 17 world titles, Mauro Forghieri died at the age of 87. From 1962, until a few months before Enzo Ferrari's death in 1988, Mauro Forghieri was the brains behind all of Cavallino Rampante's racing cars, even periodically serving as Director of Sports Management. The big names of the Italian manufacturer paid tribute to him.

“It is a very sad day for everyone at Scuderia Ferrari, said Mattia Binotto, Scuderia Ferrari team principal and general manager. We mourn the passing of Mauro Forghieri, one of the most extraordinary people to have worked here. He was appointed team principal at the age of 27 and, thanks to his brilliant ideas, he was one of the last all-round engineers in the automotive world. I met him several times and each time it was something special. He was, until the end, a truly charismatic individual. His revolutionary ideas, along with his vibrant nature and motivational abilities, allowed him to play a very important role in some of the most significant moments in Ferrari's history and he contributed more than anyone to fueling the legend of the Horse Rearing. We will all miss him. »

“Mauro Forghieri played an essential role in fueling the history of Ferrari, added Antonello Coletta, head of Ferrari Attività Sportive GT. Enzo Ferrari claimed to be an agitator of men, and I think we can say that Forghieri was an agitator of ideas. He was a brilliant innovator, capable of finding technical solutions that eluded most engineers of his time. He was a designer who went beyond his defined role, who became a reference and a source of inspiration for all those who worked with him. He was an eclectic designer and his curiosity and desire to push the boundaries sealed his place in the history of Ferrari and motorsport in general. »

Vice President Piero Ferrari, second son of Enzo Ferrari, also shared his memories of Mauro Forghieri: “When I joined the company in 1965, I shared an office with Cavalier Giberti, Ferrari's first employee, while Mauro Forghieri, hired a few years earlier, was next door. So we were separated by ten years of age and a window. In fact, we saw each other all day, every day. Forghieri was energetic and passionate about everything he did. He was sanguine and I remember that in many of those endless meetings at the Gestione Sportiva, which started in the evening and lasted into the night, I served as mediator between him and my father. I know that my father appreciated his tireless work ethic and knew that any mistakes were simply an attempt to do better and look forward. We have lost a part of our history, a man who gave a lot to Ferrari and to the racing world in general. »

The entire AUTOhebdo editorial team sends its condolences to the family and loved ones of Mauro Forghieri.

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