Influential Individuals: Enzo Ferrari

‘Ferrari’ a name synonymous with many qualities, amongst them: performance, beauty and exclusivity. Enzo - the visionary, the entrepreneur - foresaw this at the early stages of his celebrated company.

1

“The Ferrari is a dream. People dream of owning this vehicle and for most, it will remain a dream apart from those lucky few. ”

Conscious of the passion, detailed attention and unrelenting effort that it took to craft such machines, it was clear that they would be reserved for the bold and “lucky” few. One could say, sitting behind the wheel and driving a Ferrari gives you a glimmer of what it feels like to truly live. And Ferrari believed:

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“Only those who dare truly live”

It is almost like these qualities are seen as the ‘rite of passage’, what one must acquire in manner and character in order to own one of these motors. Enzo himself expresses his possession of such qualities and character traits through his life’s work. And, Like any great leader or innovator he lead the way by leading his own life.

3

“You have to have the courage to stand up to your critics.”

A feat done by Enzo time and time again. Each new motor and every race partaken in left room for the critics to express their views and, if they may, direct their unfavourable lines to the name of Ferrari. Yet Enzo expressed his courage through each new design he put out from the very first ‘Ferrari 125 S’ to the last Ferrari personally approved by Enzo himself, the ‘Ferrari F40’. Each facing its own unique set of challenges and problems but equally, providing its own unique set joys and fruits if overcome.

4

“If I am unable to see the defects in the machines I create myself, how can I see properly into myself?”

Not only was his rigorous attention to the exquisite details made in the creation of his engines and cars but also on himself as a person, he was decisive on ensuring no defects were left unremoved. Whether this quality transpired into his life through his work or if he carried this personal quality into his work. It is undoubtedly a key element towards the making of a great product or equally, a great character. And Ferrari’s life is a testament to that.