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F1: Mauro Forghieri, Ferrari F1 designer dies at 87 (Update)

Posted by AR1 staff

FIA pays tribute to legendary designer Mauro Forghieri:

The FIA pays tribute to one of the most influential designers and engineers in Formula 1 history – Mauro Forghieri – who has passed away at the age of 87.

“The condolences of the FIA community are today with the family and friends of Mauro Forghieri,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “He was a pioneer of motor sport engineering who had a remarkable impact on the history of Formula 1 and sports car racing, designing some of the most iconic cars and forging much of the success that is at the heart of Ferrari’s legacy.”

Forghieri was instrumental in guiding Ferrari to many victories in Formula 1 between 1962 and 1984 – working with some of the greatest drivers of all time including John Surtees, Niki Lauda, and Jody Scheckter – to deliver 54 Grand Prix wins, four World Drivers’ Championships and seven Constructors’ Championships. He was also involved with many of Ferrari’s iconic GT cars and P series prototypes that raced to endurance success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and around the world.

The Italian engineer left Ferrari for Lamborghini in 1987, and had since remained connected with the motor sport world through ventures such as the Oral Engineering Group.

Zandvoort 1971 – Andretti and Forghieri
November 2, 2022 

Mauro Forghieri, the great Ferrari designer of the 1970s and ’80s, has died at the age of 87.

Forghieri was an Italian mechanical engineer, best known for his work as a Formula One racing car designer with Scuderia Ferrari during the 1960s and 1970s. He is credited for introducing the first designed rear wings to Formula One at the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix, and designing the first transversal automatic gear, also known as T gear.

Despite his initial interest in aviation design, Forghieri accepted an internship offer from Ferrari, where he had been introduced by his father.[ Beginning in spring of 1960, he started an apprenticeship in the engine department. Forghieri began working alongside many engineers involved in Ferrari’s early history, including Vittorio Jano, Carlo Chiti and Luigi Bazzi, as well as race director Romolo Tavoni. He also worked alongside Gian Paolo Dallara, who joined Ferrari shortly after Forghieri in 1960. Forghieri’s early work at the factory involved both racing cars and production road cars.

In 1961, a few key figures at Ferrari, including chief designer Carlo Chiti, left to join the breakaway ATS Formula One team, in an event that became known as “the great walkout”. Forghieri remained as the only credentialed engineer on staff. Soon after the walkout, Forghieri was personally asked by Enzo Ferrari to begin studying the “full technical questions of the Factory” (Forghieri’s words). As he was only 27 years of age at the time, Forghieri received guidance from a few more experienced staff members, including Franco Rocchi, Walter Salvarani and Angelo Bellei. Forghieri was soon appointed technical director for racing cars, a position he would remain in until 1984. His responsibilities included overseeing technical development, managing the technical section during races and collaborating with other Ferrari departments, including the testing department and the drafting department.

Forghieri left his position as technical director in 1984. In January 1985, he began work on the Ferrari 408 4RM concept car. The 408 project was completed in Spring of 1987 and Forghieri departed Ferrari for good shortly after.