Forghieri was a key person in the history of Ferrari.
Mauro Forghieri, legendary Ferrari engineer, who was technical director of the Scuderia between 1962 and 1984, has died at the age of 87. Under his direction, the Italian formation achieved a total of seven constructors’ championships and four drivers’.
Graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bologna, Forghieri joined Ferrari in 1960 as an intern, but soon convinced Enzo Ferrari that he was one of the most prodigious minds in engineering. Following Carlo Chiti’s departure from the team, “Il Commendatore” chose him to take the reins of the team, first as designer and then as technical director.
Forghieri was a visionary and one of the key figures in the history of Italian training. Under his mandate, he developed mythical models such as the Ferrari 158 with which John Surtees became World Champion in 1964, as well as the 312 with which Niki Lauda triumphed in 1975 and 1977 or Jody Scheckter in 1979.
Forghieri is credited with technical innovations such as the introduction of rear wings in the late sixties or Ferrari’s first turbo. With him at the helm, the Scuderia won 54 wins, seven team titles and four constructors.
“Not only does one of the greatest Italian technicians who has been appreciated throughout the world disappear, but also a friend and worker with whom I shared wonderful years and great sporting successes,” Luca Cordero di told the Italian agency ‘ANSA’. Montezemolo, who was sports director of Ferrari and, later, president.
After leaving Ferrari in 1987, Forghieri joined Lamborghini to develop the V12 engine that competed in F1 in 1989 and 1990, and was involved in the launch of the Modena team. He was also part of the Oral engineering group, where he did work for major brands in the automotive world.
Forghieri had criticized the current F1 recently, according to motorsport.com: “I don’t like the aerodynamics of the current cars. I don’t understand why it is not reduced to allow normal overtaking, without DRS”.
“Now, if a rival is less than a second away, he only has to see how his pursuer overtakes him, and that cannot be correct. A world champion has to be able to overtake his rival without help. Otherwise, for me He is not a world champion,” he added.
Just a few months ago, he also criticized Charles Leclerc. “He is a fast driver, but he must grow. He is still making mistakes after five years in F1. The tifosi must accept that the title is deserved by Verstappen.”
