Few figures in motorsport history have generated as much fascination as Enzo Ferrari. Decades after his passing, the founder of Ferrari remains a unique blend of man, myth and legend, with countless stories continuing to emerge about his personality, passions and private life.
Among the very few people who could genuinely claim to have known the “Commendatore” better than most was Franco Gozzi. Having worked alongside Enzo Ferrari for nearly three decades, Gozzi became one of his closest collaborators and trusted confidants, witnessing firsthand many aspects of the Ferrari founder’s life that remained hidden from the public.
His recollections continue to provide valuable insight into the man behind one of the most iconic names in motorsport.
The man who understood Enzo Ferrari better than anyone
The depth of Franco Gozzi’s relationship with Enzo Ferrari was perhaps best summarized by Carlo Cavicchi, the longtime director of Autosprint.
During an exhibition dedicated to Ayrton Senna at Turin’s MAUTO museum in 2024, Cavicchi offered a striking description of the relationship between the two men. According to him, the real Enzo Ferrari was often represented through Gozzi, while the legendary “Drake” simply gave voice to ideas and thoughts that had frequently been shaped by his closest collaborator.
It was a comment that highlighted the extraordinary level of trust that existed between the pair and underlined just how influential Gozzi had become within Ferrari’s inner circle.
As a result, when Franco Gozzi shared stories about Enzo Ferrari, they carried a level of credibility few others could match.
The question that revealed a hidden football passion
One particularly interesting anecdote emerged in a book of memories and stories published by Autosprint in 2008.
In the book, Franco Gozzi recalled an interview conducted by renowned Italian journalist Gianni Minà with Enzo Ferrari. During the conversation, Ferrari was asked about his football preferences and which team he supported.
The Ferrari founder replied: “I’m pleased the championship might go to a provincial team this year (with Verona leading). I remember the glorious Hellas Verona, I have great sympathy for the team of Mr. Agnelli, and I support Modena, with whom I was once personally involved.”
At first glance, the answer appeared diplomatic, touching on several clubs while avoiding a direct declaration of allegiance to a single team.
Franco Gozzi reveals the truth
However, Franco Gozzi later revealed that there was more to the story.
Reflecting on that interview, he explained: “I was present during the interview and stayed silent, but the truth is Ferrari’s real football passion was for Inter, since the days it was called Ambrosiana!”
The statement offered a rare glimpse into a personal interest that Enzo Ferrari rarely discussed publicly. Inter Milan, known as Ambrosiana during part of its history, was therefore the club that apparently held a special place in the heart of the Ferrari founder, despite his public references to other teams.
For football fans and Ferrari enthusiasts alike, the revelation adds another fascinating detail to the complex personality of one of Italy’s most influential sporting figures.
A remarkable coincidence from Ferrari’s youth
The story becomes even more intriguing when looking back at Enzo Ferrari’s early years.
Long before creating the Ferrari empire and becoming one of motorsport’s most celebrated figures, a young Enzo Ferrari had already shown an interest in journalism and sport.
On November 16, 1914, at just sixteen years of age, he wrote his first article for La Gazzetta dello Sport. The subject of that article was a football match in which Internazionale defeated Modena by a score of 7-1.
Whether this detail was merely a coincidence or an early indication of the football team that would later capture his imagination is impossible to know. Nevertheless, it provides a fitting ending to a story that combines two of Italy’s greatest sporting passions: football and Ferrari.
More than a century later, Enzo Ferrari continues to inspire curiosity not only because of the cars that carry his name, but also because of the countless personal stories that help reveal the man behind the legend. Thanks to Franco Gozzi’s memories, fans now have another fascinating piece of that puzzle.
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