Enzo Ferrari taught me what makes the difference between a businessman and a visionary entrepreneur. He knew the importance of consistency and of courage. He pursued ambitious goals that seemed impossible to skeptics, yet ultimately proved realistic, and he demanded even more of himself than of his employees. Racing was always his focus because the track is a unique testing ground for developing sophisticated technologies. Lessons learned there made the road-going Ferrari the dream to aspire to for all car lovers. Since I returned to Ferrari as president in 1992, I have respected Enzo's principles and have also emulated a key point of his strategy: he always reminded us to look to the future, to the next model, to the next challenge. And he was proud of being Italian and of our national flair for original design. I was lucky enough to know the man, but to know him was not easy. He was strong, hiding his emotions behind a rather cold mask, but suffered greatly when he lost his son Dino to muscular dystrophy. He also grieved over drivers killed on the track.
Even when he was nearing the end of his life, Enzo was passionate about his work. Today, his old office at the Fiorano test and practice track is much as he left it. I always picture him at his desk or sitting down to a plate of tagliatelle. He might have looked relaxed, but his mind was always working, always planning how to meet those tough goals he set himself.
is chairman of Fiat, president of Ferrari and also president of Confindustria (the Federation of Italian Industries)