Piero Fusaro, the Turin-born manager who once led Ferrari and held executive roles at FIAT, Alfa Romeo, and Seat, has passed away after a long illness. He concluded his illustrious career serving as president of ANFIA.
Fusaro was 88 years old and carried with him a notable legacy: being remembered as the man who prevented Ayrton Senna from fulfilling his dream of joining Ferrari for the 1991 season in a red car. The former Ferrari president quietly passed away after a prolonged illness that had weakened him. Born in Turin, he would have celebrated his birthday on March 29, but he did not reach the milestone.
Cesare Fiorio has consistently maintained that it was Piero Fusaro, then president of Ferrari, who informed Alain Prost that the sporting director had signed a pre-contract with the Brazilian champion to bring him to Ferrari instead. Fiorio claims that Prost actively worked to block the deal, making sure it did not go through.
The outcome of that situation was clear and consequential for all involved: Ayrton Senna remained at McLaren, Fiorio left Ferrari, Prost was soon dismissed from the team, and Fusaro himself faced delays before assuming the presidency, waiting for Luca di Montezemolo to arrive at Maranello.
Fusaro’s destiny was always linked to automobiles, even though he graduated from the Politecnico di Torino with a degree in electrical engineering. He joined FIAT in 1963 and quickly rose through the ranks. By 1970, he had become director of the Sulmona factory and later established the Florence facility. In 1975, Enzo Ferrari personally called him to Maranello, entrusting him with the role of General Manager at the Scuderia.
Fusaro once reflected on his years with Enzo Ferrari, stating: “I spent the most exciting and formative years of my professional life with the Commendatore. For me, he was like a father, and without presumption, I believe I was like a son to him. I remember seeing him give magnificent and extremely expensive gifts. To me, who never received a gift from him, he often said: ‘I do not give you gifts, Fusaro, because I give you my friendship.’”
In 1979, Fusaro became CEO of Seat in Spain, and by 1985, he had joined the Executive Committee of FIAT Auto. Following FIAT’s acquisition of Alfa Romeo, he became CEO and President of the brand. In 1998, after Enzo Ferrari’s passing, Fusaro received a call from Agnelli’s lawyer: “Ferrari always said you would be his successor. Please take on the role of President.”
Known as a skilled executive with strong managerial acumen and a sensitive approach to personal relationships, Fusaro continued to serve the automotive industry even after leaving Ferrari. In 1992, he was appointed president of ANFIA, continuing to shape Italy’s automotive landscape.
Piero Fusaro’s legacy remains intertwined with the history of Ferrari and the broader automotive world, remembered both for his leadership and the pivotal moments that defined an era in Formula 1.
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