Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, the Scuderia is the longest running and most successful team in Formula 1. With 16 constructors' titles and 15 drivers' titles, its red cars have been guided by legends such as Ascari, Fangio, Lauda, Schumacher and Hamilton.
When on May 11, 1947, the first Ferrari with the prancing horse was presented in Piacenza, no one imagined that that "promising failure" (as its creator called it) would become the greatest sporting myth in motorsport. The Scuderia Ferrari, founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, is not just a Formula 1 team, it is the personification of an obsession, the only team that has competed in every season of the world championship since 1950 and the one that has written the most glorious and tragic pages of this sport.
Its debut at the 1950 Monaco Grand Prix with the Tipo 125 F1 was the beginning of a dynasty. The first victory would come the following year, at Silverstone, at the hands of Argentine José Froilán González, but it was Alberto Ascari who, in 1952 and 1953, gave Ferrari its first world drivers' titles, dominating with the legendary 500 F2. In 1956, another Argentine, Juan Manuel Fangio, added his name to the Scuderia's roll of honor, while in 1958 Mike Hawthorn did the same, closing a decade of success that laid the foundations of a legend.
The 1960s and 1970s were marked by technical genius and drama. In 1961, Phil Hill was crowned champion amid the tragedy of his teammate Wolfgang von Trips' death. John Surtees, the only driver world champion on two and four wheels, gave Ferrari another title in 1964. But it was Niki Lauda who personified the Scuderia's most intense era in the 70s. His first title in 1975, the near-fatal accident at the Nürburgring in 1976, and his second championship in 1977 are chapters that forged the mystique of bravery and resilience. Jody Scheckter closed the decade with the 1979 title, while Gilles Villeneuve became an immortal hero for his fighting spirit, though he never won the crown.
The 1980s brought constructors' titles in 1982 and 1983, but also the loss of Villeneuve and founder Enzo Ferrari in 1988. It was the end of an era and the beginning of a long drought of drivers' titles that would last more than 20 years. The arrival of Alain Prost in 1990 and Nigel Mansell failed to break the spell.
Everything changed in 1996. It was then that Michael Schumacher, together with a dream team led by Jean Todt, Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne, initiated the golden era of Ferrari. After years of frustration, the German broke the curse in 2000, winning the drivers' title that would be repeated consecutively until 2004. With Rubens Barrichello by his side, Ferrari achieved unprecedented dominance, setting records for wins and building a legacy of technical perfection that seemed unbeatable.
REUTERS/Jeff HanischThe Schumacher era closed with a new cycle change: Kimi Räikkönen gave Ferrari its last drivers' title in 2007 and Felipe Massa was one point away from achieving it in 2008. The arrival of Fernando Alonso in 2010 brought years of intense fighting, with two world runner up finishes that brushed glory. Sebastian Vettel between 2015 and 2020 restored competitiveness to the team, although he could not add a new title. The modern era with Charles Leclerc and the recent addition of Lewis Hamilton in 2025 keeps the flame of hope alive.
But the Scuderia Ferrari is more than its 16 constructors' titles and 15 drivers' titles. It is the only team that has been present in every F1 season. It is the roar of its V12 engines at Monza, Fangio's class, the tears for Gilles Villeneuve's death, Lauda's fury, Schumacher's perfection, and the passion of the "tifosi." It is a feeling that transcends sporting logic, a religion that has survived its own failures and is reborn with every new season, because in Maranello, history is not written, it is breathed.
