10 replies to this topic

[HistoryFan]

In his book Enzo Ferrari wrote that he was near to retire in 1954. Are there any details about that story?

Why had he considered to retire?

Would have that been the end of Scuderia Ferrari?

[D-Type]

In the fifties Ferrari threatening to retire was almost an annual event.  He would give the reason that he couldn't afford to continue upholding Italy's honour on the race track.  After the histrionics, financial support from Italian industry, eg Fiat and Pirelli, would often be forthcoming.

[Jejking]

Or the regulation changes wouldn't make it through the winter, etc. If was indeed like throwing a tantrum to get what he wanted.

[Roger Clark]

In the fifties Ferrari threatening to retire was almost an annual event. He would give the reason that he couldn't afford to continue upholding Italy's honour on the race track. After the histrionics, financial support from Italian industry, eg Fiat and Pirelli, would often be forthcoming.

I'd be surprised if Pirelli offered much support when Ferrari was using Englebert tyres.

[FLB]

Basically, losing Ascari to Maserati, the 250F coming and having nothing comparable, Fangio and Mercedes trouncing him, lack of money, Dino's illness that would take him in 1956, etc.

[Rob Miller]

Roger Clark wrote:

"I'd be surprised if Pirelli offered much support when Ferrari was using Englebert tyres."

Ferrari was on Pirelli in 1954, changed to Englebert in 1955.


FLB wrote:

"losing Ascari to Maserati"

Ascari went to Lancia in 1954"

[FLB]

FLB wrote:

"losing Ascari to Maserati"

Ascari went to Lancia in 1954"
 

You're absolutely correct of course, although Ascari did drive for Maserati while waiting for the D50 to be ready.

Edited by FLB, 17 May 2015 - 23:30.

[Roger Clark]

Are we talking here about the retirement announced after the Italian Grand Prix, 1953? Within six weeks, Autosport was saying that Ferrari had reconsidered but I think the announcement came in early December. The split with Ascari came later still, on the 29th December according to Karl Ludvigsen's Ascari biography.

Autosport thought that Ferrari's reasons for withdrawal were financial and that the Italian government had helped.

I don't know about retirements in other years.

[HistoryFan]

Thank you very much>!

[wenoopy]

Are we talking here about the retirement announced after the Italian Grand Prix, 1953? Within six weeks, Autosport was saying that Ferrari had reconsidered but I think the announcement came in early December. The split with Ascari came later still, on the 29th December according to Karl Ludvigsen's Ascari biography.

Autosport thought that Ferrari's reasons for withdrawal were financial and that the Italian government had helped.

I don't know about retirements in other years.

 

In Mike Hawthorn's book(Challenge Me The Race), he mentions going down to Modena after the 1953 Italian GP and being asked by Ugolini if he was going to sign with Ferrari for 1954 season. In his words(or Gordon Wilkins'?) ...."after I signed I asked Ugolini what all these reports of retirement meant. He just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. .....Official and unofficial interests got busy, Ferrari got some financial support, the preparation of the (Super) Squalos went ahead and the "retirement" was quietly forgotten."

 

I do recall other retirement threats from Ferrari over the next few years, which might have been taken at face value by the non-motor racing press, but seen more cynically by the specialists.

 

Stu

[D28]

Basically, losing Ascari to Maserati, the 250F coming and having nothing comparable, Fangio and Mercedes trouncing him, lack of money, Dino's illness that would take him in 1956, etc.

From accounts I have read, there was no need of losing Ascari to Lancia.  After winning 2 WC (F2) titles for Ferrari, winning 9 consecutive WC (F2) Grand Prix plus many extra non-title races, Enzo reportedly handed Ascari a filled in contract for 1955 and told him to sign it on the spot. Ascari was a consummate team player dedicated to the team, but there was a limit to how much abuse he would absorb from Enzo Ferrari.