The Italian Mauro Forghieri, technical director of Ferrari for twenty years (1962-1971, 1973-1984) and right-hand man of Enzo Ferrari, died this Wednesday in his native Modena (north) at the age of 87.
Forghieri, Formula One car engineer and designer, has been one of the most recognizable faces in world motorsports and specifically in the Ferrari team, winning a total of seven constructors’ championships under his leadership for the Prancing Horse.
Right-hand man of Enzo Ferrari, founder of the team and of the car brand that bears his surname, Forghieri was the designer of the single-seater 312 with which the Austrian Niki Lauda won two world titles, in 1975 and 1977.
In addition to the impact he had on Ferrari, a company he joined at the age of 29, Forghieri had a fundamental impact on the premier class of motoring by first installing rear wings on the car in the late 1960s and ‘turbo ‘ At the beginning of the 80’s.
After his journey at Ferrari, the engineer was part of Lamborghini and Bugatti, also as technical director.
Last January, he was named Honorary Citizen of the city of Modena: “I am moved, receiving this recognition from my city has absolute value. During my career I have had many opportunities to work abroad, but I have always refused because it would have meant leaving Modena », he said when he received the award. EFE