The “Società Anonima Scuderia Ferrari” was founded 95 years ago by Enzo Ferrari as a racing team linked to Alfa Romeo. This partnership allowed the young Maranello team to participate in most races while promoting its brand with minimal expenses.
The team’s debut occurred during the 4th Mille Miglia in 1930, a rocky start as none of the three entered cars crossed the finish line. However, the first victory came shortly after, on June 15, 1930, when Tazio Nuvolari—described by Enzo Ferrari as the greatest driver of all time—triumphed in the Trieste-Opicina hill climb. The Prancing Horse emblem made its debut on Alfa Romeo cars during the 24 Hours of Spa in 1932, a race won by the Modenese team.
Ferrari and F1
Formula 1 was born in 1950, and Ferrari is the only team to have competed continuously since its inception. The team made its debut in the second race of the 1950 season, the Monaco Grand Prix, achieving a remarkable result with its driver Alberto Ascari finishing second, securing Ferrari’s first-ever podium. The first victory came in 1951, with Argentine driver José Froilán González winning the British Grand Prix.
The first drivers’ title followed in 1952, in a season dominated by Alberto Ascari, who won six out of eight races. Ferrari itself won seven of the eight events that year. The Constructors’ Championship was introduced in 1958, and Ferrari secured its first title in 1961.
Since then, the story is one of greatness: 16 Constructors’ Championships (1961, 1964, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008) and 15 Drivers’ Championships (1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1979, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007), with 1,095 races as a constructor, 820 podiums, and 248 wins (data updated to the 2024 São Paulo GP).
Ferrari’s world champions are legends of the sport: Alberto Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio, Mike Hawthorn, Phil Hill, John Surtees, Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter, Michael Schumacher, and Kimi Räikkönen. Equally iconic are those who drove for Ferrari without winning a title, such as Sebastian Vettel, Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, Gilles Villeneuve, Jacky Ickx, Alain Prost, Michele Alboreto, Nigel Mansell, Didier Pironi, and Wolfgang von Trips.
An Eternal Bond with Racing
Ferrari and F1 are tied by an indestructible and eternal bond, but Scuderia Ferrari has also competed—and won—in other motorsport categories:
– 12 World Sports Car Championships
– 7 GT Constructors’ titles and 5 GT Drivers’ titles in the WEC
– 11 overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with 29 class victories
– 5 overall wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona, with 17 class victories
– 12 overall wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring, with 38 class victories
– 4 overall wins at the 24 Hours of Spa and 1 at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring
– 7 Targa Florio and 7 Mille Miglia victories
Scuderia Ferrari even competed in motorcycle racing from 1932 to 1934, participating with Rudge, Norton, and Benelli bikes, achieving 44 victories and 3 national titles.
Ferrari’s Statute on a Napkin?
Regarding Ferrari’s foundation, Enzo Ferrari’s son, Piero Ferrari, said: “The birth of Scuderia Ferrari on November 16, 1929, is one of the most concrete examples of my father’s key traits: courage and passion for racing. During the first great global crisis, he had the bravery to create a team that would allow amateur drivers to compete in car races of the era because they shared his immense love for competition. His determination and decisiveness were evident even in the way he drafted the main points of the team’s statute—on a napkin in a restaurant with lawyer Enzo Levi.”
From a restaurant napkin to becoming a symbol of motorsport and racing, happy birthday, Scuderia Ferrari!
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