FerrariFerrari

By AlexBy Alex

HistoryHistory

Ferrari S.p.A.Ferrari S.p.A. is an is an Italian sports car Italian sports car manufacturer based in manufacturer based in Maranello and Modena, Maranello and Modena, Italy. Founded by Enzo Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929 as Ferrari in 1929 as Scuderia FerrariScuderia Ferrari, the , the company sponsored company sponsored drivers and manufactured drivers and manufactured race cars before moving race cars before moving into production of street into production of street legal vehicles in 1947 as legal vehicles in 1947 as Ferrari S.p.A.. Ferrari S.p.A..

Ferrari's cars are Ferrari's cars are among the most among the most desirable of vehicles to desirable of vehicles to own and drive, and are own and drive, and are one of the ultimate one of the ultimate status symbols of wealth status symbols of wealth in the world. Throughout in the world. Throughout its history, the company its history, the company has been noted for its has been noted for its continued participation continued participation in racing, especially in in racing, especially in Formula One, where it Formula One, where it has largely enjoyed has largely enjoyed great success, especially great success, especially during the 1950s, 1960s, during the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, late 1990s, and 1970s, late 1990s, and 2000s2000s

Finally, after years of Finally, after years of financial struggles, Enzo financial struggles, Enzo Ferrari sold the Ferrari sold the company's sports car company's sports car division to the Fiat division to the Fiat group in 1969 in order group in 1969 in order to help ensure to help ensure continued financial continued financial backing for the backing for the foreseeable future. Enzo foreseeable future. Enzo Ferrari himself retained Ferrari himself retained control of the racing control of the racing division until his death division until his death in 1988 at the age of 90.in 1988 at the age of 90.

Ferrari also has an Ferrari also has an internally managed internally managed merchandising line merchandising line that licenses a wide that licenses a wide range of products range of products bearing the Ferrari bearing the Ferrari brand, including brand, including eyewear, pens, pencils, eyewear, pens, pencils, perfume, clothing, perfume, clothing, high-tech bicycles, cell high-tech bicycles, cell phones, and even phones, and even laptop computers. laptop computers. Financial Times named Financial Times named Ferrari number one on Ferrari number one on its 2007 list of the 100 its 2007 list of the 100 Best Workplaces in Best Workplaces in Europe.Europe.

RacingRacing Enzo Ferrari's true Enzo Ferrari's true passion, despite his passion, despite his extensive road car extensive road car business, was always auto business, was always auto racing. His Scuderia racing. His Scuderia started as an independent started as an independent sponsor for drivers in sponsor for drivers in various cars, but soon various cars, but soon became the Alfa Romeo became the Alfa Romeo in-house racing team. in-house racing team. After Ferrari's departure After Ferrari's departure from Alfa, he began to from Alfa, he began to design and produce cars design and produce cars of his own; the Ferrari of his own; the Ferrari team first appeared on team first appeared on the European Grand Prix the European Grand Prix scene after the end of scene after the end of World War II.World War II.

In 1949, Luigi Chinetti In 1949, Luigi Chinetti drove a Model 166M to drove a Model 166M to Ferrari's first win in motor Ferrari's first win in motor sports, the 24 Hours of Le sports, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Chinetti drove for all Mans. Chinetti drove for all except twenty minutes of except twenty minutes of the Grand Prix race. He the Grand Prix race. He soon became the American soon became the American dealer for Ferraris and dealer for Ferraris and established the North established the North American Racing Team, American Racing Team, Ferrari's official racing Ferrari's official racing arm. The dealership is arm. The dealership is reported to have kept the reported to have kept the company in business company in business through sales to wealthy through sales to wealthy Americans, such as Briggs Americans, such as Briggs Cunningham, who bought Cunningham, who bought the first one Chinetti sold the first one Chinetti sold through the new through the new dealership. dealership.

Alberto Ascari gave Ferrari Alberto Ascari gave Ferrari its first Drivers its first Drivers Championship a year later. Championship a year later. Ferrari is the oldest team Ferrari is the oldest team left in the championship, left in the championship, not to mention the most not to mention the most successful: the team holds successful: the team holds nearly every Formula One nearly every Formula One record. As of 2007, the record. As of 2007, the team's records include 15 team's records include 15 World Drivers World Drivers Championship titles (1952, Championship titles (1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1979, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2007) 15 World 2004 and 2007) 15 World ConstructorsConstructors

Championship titles Championship titles (1961, 1964, 1975, (1961, 1964, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2001, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2007), 200 Grand Prix 2007), 200 Grand Prix victories, 4735.27 victories, 4735.27 points, 601 podium points, 601 podium finishes, 194 pole finishes, 194 pole positions, 12,419 laps positions, 12,419 laps led, and 204 fastest led, and 204 fastest laps in 757 Grands Prix laps in 757 Grands Prix contested.contested. king of Ferrari: Michael king of Ferrari: Michael Schumacher Schumacher

The Scuderia Ferrari drivers for The Scuderia Ferrari drivers for the 2006 F1 season were Michael the 2006 F1 season were Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa. Schumacher and Felipe Massa. At the end of the 2006 season the At the end of the 2006 season the team courted controversy by team courted controversy by continuing to allow Marlboro to continuing to allow Marlboro to sponsor them after they, along sponsor them after they, along with the other F1 teams, made a with the other F1 teams, made a promise to end sponsorship deals promise to end sponsorship deals with tobacco manufacturers. A with tobacco manufacturers. A five year deal worth a reported five year deal worth a reported $500 million was agreed$500 million was agreed

The drivers for 2007 are Felipe The drivers for 2007 are Felipe Massa and Kimi Räikkönen. Massa and Kimi Räikkönen. Räikkönen went on to win the Räikkönen went on to win the drivers championship, with drivers championship, with Massa finishing 4th.Massa finishing 4th.

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