How much pressure is there at Ferrari? Insights from a legendary Ferrari mechatronics engineer. Francesco Cigarini reflects on the immense pressure of working for Ferrari.

Francesco Cigarini worked for 22 years at Ferrari as a mechatronics engineer.

During his time with the Scuderia, he had the opportunity to work with numerous Formula 1 drivers, from Michael Schumacher to Charles Leclerc, including Rubens Barrichello, Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, and Carlos Sainz.

Wearing the iconic red overalls, Francesco Cigarini embodied the core values of “Being Ferrari,” the team’s motto. However, “Being Ferrari” also means being under immense pressure from both the media and the passionate Tifosi.

Cigarini’s reflections

Here are his words on the subject in a recent interview for the Italian website formula1.it: “Psychologically, I was aware of this pressure, but I was supported by a strong passion and the desire to perform well.”

“I would tell myself, ‘Do the best you can at the moment you are in, because life is full of highs and lows, so that you don’t regret not giving everything you could.’ The pressure was there, of course, but we, the team members of that time, put it on ourselves. Everyone knew they had to give their best to make the whole mechanism work.”

“I felt the pressure most strongly when I first had to work with Michael [Schumacher]. I knew he had a 360-degree awareness and noticed everything. As a newcomer, I wanted to be worthy of ‘Being Ferrari’ and of working with a world champion. One negative judgment from him could have collapsed the entire structure.”

“From that point, the pressure was more intense. But as you get to know him, while always maintaining high concentration, you learn to manage the pressure because you understand that he knows you are part of the team, that you’ve entered the system.”

“At the beginning, it is always a bit tough, because besides wanting to be accepted by engineers and colleagues—as a competent person who can contribute something extra in track work—you also had to be accepted by Michael, Rubens [Barrichello], and Badoer.”

“With Michael, this was particularly true because he was a world champion. However, the need for high concentration applied in all cases because they made you keep your focus. You could never let your guard down,” concluded Francesco Cigarini.