History of Ferrari in Timeline

Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer established in 1939 by Enzo Ferrari. Initially founded in 1939 and produced its first car in 1940, the company officially adopted the Ferrari name in 1945, and began its line of road cars in 1947. Public since 1960, it was a Fiat subsidiary until 2016, when it separated from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Ferrari offers a wide range of supercars, grand tourers, and SUVs. Vintage models, particularly from the 1950s and 1960s, are highly valued, fetching some of the highest prices at auction.

1923: Inspiration for the Prancing Horse emblem

In 1923, Enzo Ferrari was visited by the family of Francesco Baracca, a deceased flying ace. Baracca's mother suggested that Ferrari adopt the horse emblem from his airplane as a good luck charm.

1929: Scuderia Ferrari Founded

In 1929, Enzo Ferrari founded Scuderia Ferrari as a racing team initially to service gentleman drivers and amateur racers.

1932: First use of the Prancing Horse emblem

In 1932, Enzo Ferrari first used the Prancing Horse emblem on his racing team's Alfa Romeo 8C, with the addition of a canary yellow background.

1932: Scuderia Ferrari motorcycle racing division

In 1932, Scuderia Ferrari started a motorcycle racing division to scout and train future Grand Prix drivers using British motorcycles.

1933: Alfa Romeo Withdrawal

In 1933, Alfa Romeo withdrew from racing, leading Scuderia Ferrari to become its unofficial representative on the track due to Enzo's connections.

1935: End of motorcycle racing division

In 1935, Ferrari ended its motorcycle racing division due to obsolescence of pushrod motorcycle engines and economic troubles from the Great Depression.

1937: Victories

Between 1929 and 1937 the team fielded such top drivers as Antonio Ascari, Giuseppe Campari, and Tazio Nuvolari, and won 144 out of its 225 races.

1937: Scuderia Ferrari Liquidation

In 1937, Scuderia Ferrari was liquidated and absorbed into Alfa Romeo after successful racing in the 1930s.

1939: Ferrari Founded

In 1939, Enzo Ferrari founded Ferrari S.p.A. in Maranello, Italy.

1939: Auto Avio Costruzioni Founded

In 1939, Enzo Ferrari left Alfa Romeo due to disagreements and founded Auto Avio Costruzioni to produce his own cars.

1940: Abortive Effort in Racing

Aside from an abortive effort in 1940, Ferrari began racing sports cars.

1940: First Car Built

In 1940, Ferrari built its first car.

1943: Factory Moved to Maranello

In 1943, Ferrari's factory was moved to Maranello to avoid Allied bombing raids during World War II.

1945: Ferrari Adopts Current Name

In 1945, Auto Avio Costruzioni adopted the name Ferrari.

1945: Name Adopted

In 1945, Ferrari adopted its current name.

1947: Road Car Production Begins

In 1947, Ferrari began producing its current line of road cars.

1947: Return to Grand Prix Racing

In 1947, Ferrari returned to Grand Prix racing, which was evolving into modern Formula One.

1947: Success in Racing

In 1947, the 125 S won six out of the ten races it participated in.

1947: Prancing Horse emblem on the first Ferrari-branded car

In 1947, the rectangular Prancing Horse was first used on the Ferrari 125 S, the first Ferrari-branded sports car.

1948: Development of cars for Formula Two and Formula Libre events

As early as 1948, Ferrari developed cars for Formula Two and Formula Libre events. This led to the creation of the Dino engine.

1948: Debut of the 125 F1

In 1948, Ferrari's first homebuilt Grand Prix car, the 125 F1, debuted at the Italian Grand Prix.

1949: Introduction of the 166 Inter

In 1949, Ferrari introduced the 166 Inter, marking the company's move into the grand touring road car market. The first 166 Inter was a four-seat berlinetta coupe with bodywork by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera.

1949: 24 Hours of Le Mans Victory

In 1949, Ferrari won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, building its reputation as a high-quality automaker.

1951: First F1 Victory

In 1951, Ferrari achieved its first victory in an F1 series at the British Grand Prix.

1951: Carrera Panamericana Victory

In 1951, Ferrari won the Carrera Panamericana, further enhancing its reputation as a high-quality automaker.

1952: World Drivers' Championships

Between 1952 and 1964, the team took home six World Drivers' Championships and one Constructors' Championship.

1952: Success in Formula One

Since 1952, Scuderia Ferrari has achieved significant success in Formula One, including fifteen champion drivers and sixteen Constructors' Championships.

1957: Championships

By 1957, just ten years after beginning to compete, Ferrari had won three World Sportscar Championships, seven victories in the Mille Miglia, and two victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

1958: First Series-Produced Car

In 1958, Ferrari began producing its first series-produced car, the 250 GT Coupé.

1960: Ferrari Goes Public

In 1960, Ferrari became a public company.

1963: Fiat Subsidiary

From 1963, Ferrari was a subsidiary of Fiat S.p.A.

1963: Ford Negotiations

In 1963, Ferrari approached Ford for a business partnership, but negotiations fell through.

1963: Ford Motor Company approached Enzo Ferrari about a possible buy out

In 1963, the Ford Motor Company considered buying Ferrari. Ford audited Ferrari's assets. However, Enzo Ferrari ended negotiations when he realized he would not control the company racing program. Consequently, Henry Ford II directed his racing division to find alternatives to beat Ferrari, leading to the Ford GT40's production.

1964: Initial Fortunes Run Dry

After 1964, Ferrari's initial fortunes began to decline.

1964: World Drivers' Championships

Between 1952 and 1964, the team took home six World Drivers' Championships and one Constructors' Championship.

1964: Ferrari racing in American colors

In 1964, Ferrari protested the FIA's homologation requirements and moved its racing assets to the North American Racing Team. As a result, Ferrari and John Surtees won the 1964 Formula One season in American colors—blue, with a white racing stripe.

1964: Production of the Ford GT40

In 1964, as a direct result of failed negotiations with Ferrari, Ford produced the Ford GT40, aiming to compete with Ferrari in the world endurance circuit.

1965: Last Consecutive Victory

Ferrari repeated this feat at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking its first consecutive victory at the race since 1965.

1966: Ford Breaks Streak

In 1966, Ford broke Ferrari's winning streak at Le Mans.

February 1967: Ferrari's triple success at the 24 Hours of Daytona

In February 1967, Ferrari achieved a triple victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona with the 330 P4, which led to some Ferraris being nicknamed Daytona.

1967: Introduction of the Dino 206 GT

In 1967, Ferrari introduced the V6 powered Dino 206 GT, the first production rear mid-engined car built by Ferrari. It was sold under the Dino marque, named after Enzo Ferrari's late son.

1967: Dino 206 GT Produced

In 1967, Ferrari produced the Dino 206 GT, its first mass-produced mid-engined road car.

1967: WSC Title

In 1967, Ferrari won another WSC title.

1968: 365 GTB/4 Produced

In 1968, Ferrari produced the 365 GTB/4, featuring streamlined styling that modernized the company's design language.

1969: Tasman Series Championship win

In 1969, Chris Amon won the Tasman Series championship in a Dino 246 Tasmania.

1969: FIAT purchased controlling interests in Ferrari

In 1969, FIAT approached Ferrari with a proposal after the Ford deal failed, and purchased controlling interests in the company. Enzo Ferrari retained a 10% share.

1969: Fiat Stake Acquisition

In 1969, Fiat bought 50% of Ferrari's shares, establishing a successful partnership.

1969: Last Grand Prix entry by a non-Scuderia Ferrari team

In 1969, the North American Racing Team's entries in the final three rounds of the season marked the last time a team other than Scuderia Ferrari entered a World Championship Grand Prix with a Ferrari car.

1972: WSC Title

In 1972, Ferrari won another WSC title.

1973: Ceases Competition

In 1973, Ferrari ceased competing in sports car events due to poor revenue allocation and struggling performance in Formula One.

1973: First Ferrari rear mid-engine model

In 1973, Ferrari released their first rear mid-engine model under the Ferrari name with the flat 12 powered Berlinetta Boxer.

1973: Second place at Daytona 24 Hours

In the 1973 Daytona 24 Hours, a 365 GTB/4 run by NART (who raced Ferraris in America) ran second, behind a Porsche 911.

1975: Drivers' Title with Niki Lauda

In 1975, Niki Lauda's skill behind the wheel granted Ferrari a drivers' title.

1977: Drivers' Title with Niki Lauda

In 1977, Niki Lauda's skill behind the wheel granted Ferrari a drivers' title.

1982: Constructors' Championship

In 1982, the team won the Constructors' Championship.

1983: Constructors' Championship

In 1983, the team won the Constructors' Championship.

1984: Release of the 288 GTO

In 1984, the 288 GTO was released and is considered by some to be the first in the line of Ferrari flagship "supercars".

1988: Enzo Ferrari's Death

In 1988, Enzo Ferrari died, leading Fiat to expand its stake in the company to 90%. The last car he approved was the F40.

1991: Luca Cordero di Montezemolo Appointed

In 1991, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo succeeded Enzo Ferrari, greatly expanding the company during his 23-year chairmanship.

1996: Schumacher Signs with Ferrari

In 1996, Michael Schumacher signed onto the Ferrari team.

1996: Ferrari and Shell Oil partnership

Since 1996, Ferrari has a long-standing relationship with Shell Oil where Shell develops and supplies fuel and oils to the Scuderia Ferrari's Formula One and World Endurance Championship teams. Shell V-Power premium gasoline fuel is claimed to have been developed with the many years of technical expertise between Shell and Ferrari.

1997: Ferrari launched Formula Uomo program

In 1997, Ferrari initiated the Formula Uomo program, a long-term effort to enhance corporate efficiency, production, and employee happiness.

1999: Constructors' Titles

Beginning in 1999, Ferrari won six consecutive constructors' titles.

2000: Drivers' Title with Schumacher

In 2000, Michael Schumacher gave Ferrari the first of five consecutive drivers' titles.

2003: Grooming of Felipe Massa

Between 2003 and 2006 the team successfully groomed Felipe Massa.

2004: Montezemolo Chairman of Fiat

Between 2004 and 2010, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo was also the chairman of Fiat.

2004: Styling Resemblance

In 2008–2009 season, the Ferrari cars supplied for the A1 Grand Prix series were styled to resemble the 2004 Ferrari Formula One car.

2004: Dominant Season

In the 2004 season, Ferrari was especially dominant, losing only three races, and winning one of many drivers' titles with Michael Schumacher.

2005: Start date for Ferrari cars recalled in August 2022

In August 2022, Ferrari recalled almost every car it's sold in the US since 2005 due to the potential for brake failure.

2006: Grooming of Felipe Massa

Between 2003 and 2006 the team successfully groomed Felipe Massa.

2007: Drivers' Title for Kimi Räikkönen

In 2007, Kimi Räikkönen won a drivers' title for Ferrari.

2008: Constructors' Titles

In 2007 and 2008, Ferrari won constructors' titles.

2008: Display of an ethanol-fueled F430 Spider

In 2008, An F430 Spider that runs on ethanol was displayed at the Detroit Auto Show.

2008: Launch of the Special Projects programme

In 2008, Ferrari launched the Special Projects programme, also called the Portfolio Coachbuilding Programme, to revive the tradition of one-off and limited production coachbuilt models.

2008: Supply of cars for A1 Grand Prix and displayed F430 Spider that runs on ethanol at the Detroit Auto Show

In 2008, Ferrari supplied cars with V8 engines for the A1 Grand Prix series. The car was designed by Rory Byrne and styled after the 2004 Ferrari Formula one car. Additionally, an F430 Spider that runs on ethanol was displayed at the Detroit Auto Show.

2008: Formula Uomo investment

In 2008, Ferrari's Formula Uomo program, launched in 1997, reached over €200 million in investment.

2008: Completion of the first car under the Special Projects programme

In 2008, the first car to be completed under the Special Projects programme was the SP1, commissioned by a Japanese business executive.

2009: Ferrari supplied cars for A1 Grand Prix series

From the 2008–2009 season, Ferrari supplied cars for the A1 Grand Prix series, designed by Rory Byrne and styled to resemble the 2004 Ferrari Formula one car.

2009: Ferrari Driver Academy Begun

In 2009, the Ferrari Driver Academy was begun.

2010: Unveiling of the HY-KERS Concept

At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari unveiled a hybrid version of their flagship 599, called the "HY-KERS Concept," adding more than 100 horsepower on top of the 599 Fiorano's 612 hp.

2010: Montezemolo Ends Fiat Chairmanship

In 2010, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo's chairmanship of Fiat ended.

2010: Release of the Millechili concept car

In 2010, the most recent concept car to be produced by Ferrari themselves was the Millechili.

2010: Shift in focus of the Special Projects programme

In 2010, with the creation of Ferrari's in-house styling centre, the Special Projects programme shifted its focus away from outside coachbuilders and more towards creating new in-house designs for clients.

2011: Significant update of the Tailor Made programme

In late 2011, Ferrari announced a significant update of its Tailor Made programme, allowing clients to work with designers in Maranello to make decisions at every step of the process, offering extensive customization options.

2012: Popularity of rosso corsa on Ferrari road cars

In 2012, 40 percent of Ferraris leaving the factory were painted red, a decrease from the early 1990s when 85 percent were red.

2014: End of Fiat Subsidiary Era

In 2014, Ferrari ceased being a subsidiary of Fiat S.p.A.

2014: Montezemolo's Departure

In 2014, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo's 23-year chairmanship ended.

2014: Deadmau5 "Purrari" controversy

In 2014, musician Deadmau5 received a cease and desist letter regarding his customized 458 Italia, dubbed the "Purrari," due to custom badges and a Nyan Cat-themed wrap.

2014: Production of the LaFerrari hybrid

In mid-2014, the flagship LaFerrari was put into production, featuring a hybrid system.

2015: Ferrari's strategy to maintain brand value

In 2015, Ferrari's head of sales stated that the company deliberately limits vehicle production below customer demand to maintain the brand's value and exclusivity.

2016: Spin-off from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

In 2016, Ferrari was spun off from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

2017: Ferrari's stance against certain customizations

In 2017, the CEO of Ferrari's Australasia branch commented that certain customizations, such as pink paint or Pokémon-themed designs, are "against the company's ethos" and are prohibited.

2019: Driver Academy Graduates

As of 2019, 5 out of 18 programme inductees of the Ferrari Driver Academy had graduated and become F1 drivers.

2019: Total of Ferrari cars built and sold

As of the end of 2019, Ferrari had built and sold a total of 219,062 cars throughout the company's history.

2019: Introduction of the SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid

In 2019, Ferrari introduced their first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model, the SF90 Stradale.

2019: Ferrari labelled the world's strongest brand

In 2019, Ferrari was labelled the world's strongest brand by the financial consultancy Brand Finance.

2019: Participation in sim racing

Since 2019, Scuderia Ferrari has participated in sim racing.

January 2020: Ferrari recalled 982 vehicles for passenger airbags

In January 2020, Ferrari announced a recall of 982 vehicles due to potentially defective passenger airbags from Takata. The issue involved the risk of metal shrapnel being ejected at passengers upon airbag deployment. Every car involved will get a new passenger-side airbag assembly.

June 2021: Ferrari debuted their high fashion brand with their first runway

In June 2021, Ferrari debuted their high fashion brand with their first runway show.

2021: Benedetto Vigna Appointed CEO

Beginning in 2021, Benedetto Vigna replaced Louis Camilleri as CEO and announced plans to develop Ferrari's first fully electric model.

2021: Introduction of the 296 plug-in hybrid

In 2021, Ferrari introduced the 296, their second plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model.

August 2022: Ferrari recalled almost every car it's sold in the US since 2005

On 8 August 2022, Ferrari recalled almost every car it's sold in the US since 2005 due to the potential for brake failure. A faulty brake fluid reservoir cap that may not vent pressure adequately. The affected cars will be fitted with a replacement cap and receive a software update.

May 2023: Market Capitalization

As of May 2023, Ferrari's market capitalization was approximately US$85.5 billion, making it one of the largest car manufacturers.

October 2023: Ferrari began accepting cryptocurrency payments in the US

In October 2023, Ferrari began accepting cryptocurrency payments for its vehicles in the US, with plans to expand to Europe in 2024. The cryptocurrency payments will be immediately converted to traditional currency to avoid price volatility.

2023: Return to Sports Car Racing

In 2023, Ferrari reentered prototype sports car racing with the 499P.

2024: Consecutive Victory at 24 Hours of Le Mans

Ferrari repeated its victory at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking its first consecutive win at the race since 1965.

2024: Intention to expand cryptocurrency payments to Europe

In 2024, Ferrari has intentions to expand cryptocurrency payments to Europe after starting in the US in October 2023.

February 2025: Announcement of first fully electric car unveiling

In February 2025, Ferrari announced that they would be unveiling their first-ever fully electric car in October, "in a unique and innovative way", according to CEO Benedetto Vigna.