“Enzo Ferrari was one of the few Italian greats of the 20th century. And getting to know him was one of the fortunes of my life…”. Luca Cordero di Montezemolo and the Drake. In August 1988, thirty-five years ago, the curtain fell on an unparalleled story. That of a man who created a legend out of nothing. “Ferrari was unique – the Montezemolo said in a recent interview for Italian journalist Leo Turrini, which was published on the sport.quotidiano.net website -. “He conquered the world while remaining faithful to his roots, to his land.”
And today, on the stock market, his company alone is worth more than the entire Stellantis group, meaning Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Fiat, and Chrysler combined: “I imagine he would be pleased, while still considering that he looked not at dividends but at the future of the factory. Even the agreement with Gianni Agnelli in 1969 wasn’t solely for personal gain, but to ensure the brand’s future and the well-being of the employees.”
How did he enter your life?
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo: “I know many think it was Agnelli’s recommendation. Instead, it resulted from a phone call I made to a Radio Rai program. It was 1972, Ferrari was struggling in F1, and Il Commendatore was inundated with criticism, some of it quite harsh. I was a young fan, and I called in live to defend him. He heard me, called me, and offered me the role of team principal, even though at the time it was called “diesse.” I was 25 years old with zero experience. The man was like that, visionary and courageous.”
He had already done the same thing at the technical level with Forghieri, ten years prior.
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo: “I really miss Mauro. He was a genius, not just an engineer. And let me add that with him and with Piero, the Old Man’s son whom I care deeply for, I experienced beautiful moments.”
Speaking of moments, allow me to digress: in F1, Ferrari is performing poorly now, just as it did half a century ago.
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo: “Do you know what saddens me? Celebrating a third-place finish, like at Spa. That’s not what Ferrari stands for, and the Old Man wouldn’t have accepted it. Never.”
Sorry, would you keep Charles Leclerc beyond 2024? And as a former Juventus executive, would you sign Lukaku?
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo: “Not Lukaku by any means, he even cost Inter the Champions League. Charles, on the other hand, I would certainly keep him; he’s skilled, and I don’t believe there are any available drivers stronger than him. But in the present, who’s driving the Scuderia is the least of the problems. When I was president, I built a Dream Team, from Schumi to Todt, from Brawn to Byrne…”
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And today…
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo: “Look, as a fan, I dream of a Ferrari that doesn’t always win but competes for the title until the last race. Like in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2008, 2010, 2012. Losing is acceptable, but as protagonists, not extras.”
Tell me, does John Elkann, today’s president, ever ask for your opinion, advice?
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo: “Zero. Nothing. Never heard from him.”
Perhaps it’s best if we return to discussing the Founder.
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo: “Ferrari taught me so much. For instance, never settle. After a victory, he always thought about the next race.”
You and Lauda together revived the legend of the Prancing Horse.
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo: “Truth be told, Enzo’s first choice for 1974 was a Frenchman, Jarier. But we had already signed Regazzoni, and it was Clay who suggested we go for Niki, his teammate at Brm.”
Then the Swiss man regretted it.
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo: “What can you do? Niki was a phenomenon and faster.”
What was it like to be in contact with a Legend like the Drake?
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo: “Demanding! For example, Enzo hated holidays; in August, he kept me in the office, couldn’t stand people going on vacation. But he was also fun. Do you know the story of the telephone?”
Tell me.
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo: “Ferrari used to say that I was always on the phone with beautiful women in the office. So one morning, he left an enormous pink telephone on my desk. And when I introduced him to Edvige Fenech, he commented: ‘She’s definitely smarter than you.'”
I sense that there was a true bond between you.
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo: “You see, after a race win, Enzo always called my mom, who, like him, was from Emilia. And I don’t forget his emotional gratitude when with Lauda in 1975, we brought the title back to Maranello. The truth is, many talk about him without even knowing him. He made me understand that Ferrari is a sentiment, a human and social value in its territory, a symbol of research and innovation. As president, between 1991 and 2014, I tried to remain faithful to his teachings.”
A flaw?
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo: “I never understood why, from before World War II, he never set foot in Rome again. In 1976, I was getting married, I invited him, no chance, he didn’t want to see the city anymore. Who knows…”
Who knows what?
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo: “Sometimes I think that if Italo, my train, had been there, he would have come to the wedding…”
