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Mauro Forghieri

Mauro Forghieri(13 January 1935 – 2 November 2022) was an Italian mechanical engineer, best known for his work as aFormula Oneracing car designer withScuderia Ferrariduring the 1960s and 1970s. He is credited with introducing the first designed rear wings to Formula One at the1968 Belgian Grand Prix.[1]He oversaw numerous technical developments during his tenure at Ferrari, including the creation of the250 GTOandP-seriessports racing cars, theFerrari flat-12series of engines, Ferrari's first turbocharged engine in the126 CF1 car, and a prototypesemi-automatic transmissionin 1979. During Forghieri's tenure with Ferrari, the company won theF1 World Driver's Championshipfour times and theF1 World Constructors' Championshipseven times. After leaving Ferrari in 1987, he worked atLamborghiniandBugattithen founded the Oral Engineering Group in 1995.

Mauro Forghieri
Forghieri in 2005
Born(1935-01-13)13 January 1935
Modena,Italy
Died2 November 2022(2022-11-02)(aged 87)
Modena, Italy
OccupationFormula Onecar designer

Early life

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Forghieri was born inModena,Emilia-Romagna,on 13 January 1935,[2]the only child of Reclus and Afra Forghieri.[3]His father Reclus, aturner,did war work duringWorld War IIfor theAnsaldomechanical workshops ofNaples.During this time, Mauro lived primarily with his mother, spending time in Naples,Milan,Modena andAbbiategrasso.After the war, the Forghieri family reunited and returned to Modena, where Reclus began working in theFerrariworkshop inMaranello.[4]Meanwhile, Mauro completed theliceo scientificoand in 1959 obtained alaureainMechanical Engineeringfrom theUniversity of Bologna.[5][6]

Career

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Ferrari

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Forghieri (right) withJohn Surteesinspecting aFerrari 1512in 1965 at theNürburgring

Despite his initial interest in aviation design, Forghieri accepted an internship offer fromFerrari,to which he had been introduced by his father.[7]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, includingVittorio Jano,Carlo ChitiandLuigi Bazzi,as well as race directorRomolo Tavoni.He also worked alongsideGiampaolo Dallara,who joined Ferrari shortly after Forghieri in 1960. Forghieri's early work at the factory involved both racing cars and production road cars.[5][6]

In 1961, some key figures at Ferrari, including chief designerCarlo Chiti,left to join the breakawayATSFormula 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 byEnzo Ferrarito begin studying the "full technical questions of the Factory" (Forghieri's words).[6]: 18 As he was only 27 years of age at the time, Forghieri received guidance from a few more experienced staff members, includingFranco Rocchi,Walter SalvaraniandAngelo 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 thedraftingdepartment.[6]

Forghieri left his position as technical director in 1984. In January 1985, he began work on theFerrari 408 4RMconcept car. The 408 project was completed in Spring of 1987 and Forghieri departed Ferrari for good shortly after.[6][8]

Notable designs at Ferrari

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Forghieri was involved to some degree in the development of every racing car produced by the Factory between his hiring after graduation and his departure in 1987.[9]

Thesports racing carsdesigned under Forghieri's supervision included theGT-class250 GTO,the development of which Forghieri continued after the original team headed by Chiti andGiotto Bizzarrinileft during the 1961 walkout.[10]Other GT-class cars includedcompetition versions of the 275 GTB[11]and the330 LMB.Sports prototypesdesigned by Forghieri's team included theP seriesand later iterations of theDino series,starting with the 1965 Dino 166 P.[8]Forghieri stated that the 1967 330 P4 was his favorite out of all the cars he designed.[12]

In 1964, Forghieri designed the V8-poweredFerrari 158,in whichJohn Surteeswon the 1964 Formula One World Championship. The 158 and the Ferrari 1512 shared a Forghieri-designed aluminum monocoque chassis, the first use of this technology in a Ferrari F1 car.[8][13]

Forghieri (kneeling, right) with driverCarlos Reutemanntesting the Ferrari 312 T3 atZandvoortin 1978

Beginning in 1966, Forghieri designed the Ferrari 312 series (consisting of the312,312Band312TFormula One cars and312Pand312PBsportscars).[8]In 1979, he designed asemi-automatic transmissionfor the 312T, which was tested byGilles Villeneuvebut never used in competition. This predated the use of a similar system in the 1989Ferrari 640F1 car and the introduction of the roadgoing "F1" automated manual transmission in the 1997F355.[14]: 65 [15]In 1979 he began work on Ferrari's firstturbocharged engine,which debuted in the 1981126 C.[16]: 197 Under his guidance, Ferrari won the driver's F1 world championship title four times, withJohn Surtees(1964),Niki Lauda(1975 and 1977), andJody Scheckter(1979). Ferrari also won the constructors F1 world championship title seven times.[9]

Lamborghini and Bugatti

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In September 1987, Forghieri joined Lamborghini Engineering,[6]a department created byLee Iacocca,thenCEOofChrysler,who had bought theEmiliancar firmLamborghini.[17]

In that organization, which had ex-FerrariDaniele Audettoas sports director, Forghieri designed thenaturally aspiratedLamborghini 3512V12 engine, which made its Formula One racing debut at the1989 Brazilian Grand Prix.The V12 engine was used by theLarrousse/Lolateam during the1989F1 season.[18]This engine was also used in the 1990Lotus 102F1 car.[19]

Following the encouraging performance of the engine, the project of designing a complete F1 car was conceived, thanks to financing by theMexicanbusinessmanFernando Gonzalez Luna.The newly-formed team was named GLAS F1, from an abbreviation of Gonzales Luna Associates. Former journalistLeopoldo Canettoliwas picked to run the team. The car's suspension and gearbox were designed by Forghieri and the bodywork was designed byMario Tolentino.The first complete car, the GLAS 001, was slated for a debut at the1990 Mexican GP,but the day before the official presentation to the press, Gonzalez Luna disappeared with a conspicuous amount of money that had been paid by sponsors. Following Luna's disappearance, the car and team remained in financial limbo until the team was purchased byCarlo Patruccoin July 1990. Patrucco createdModena Team(also known as the Lamborghini or "Lambo" team) and the Forghieri/Tolentino-designed car debuted as theLambo 291at the1991 United States Grand Prix.[20][21]

In 1991, the Lamborghini Engineering department was completely reorganized by Chrysler enterprise and Forghieri was replaced byMike Royce.[22]In 1992, he became the technical director of the re-emergingBugatti,where he stayed until 1994.[23]While at Bugatti, Forghieri was involved in the development of theEB 110and theEB 112.[24][25]

In 1994, he was called as an expert in the trial relating to the death of driverAyrton Sennaat the1994 San Marino Grand Prix.[26]

Oral Engineering Group

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On 1 January 1995, Forghieri co-founded withFranco AntoniazziandSergio Luglithe Oral Engineering Group, a mechanical design company.[27][28]Forghieri was active in company operations, which include design, research and development of automobile, motorcycle, marine andgo-kartengines and components.[27]Clients includeBMW,Bugatti,andAprilia.[29]Oral Engineering was commissioned to convert theFerrari Pininconcept carfrom a static display into a driveable vehicle.[30]

Project 1221

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Around 2005, Forghieri joinedProject 1221,an Italian automobile company developing a new MF1 sports car, as chief engineer.[31][32]

Later life

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Forghieri was critical of thedrag reduction systemintroduced to Formula One in the 2010s. He was declared an honorary citizen of Modena in 2021.[33]

Forghieri died on 2 November 2022,[34]at the age of 87.[35]Scuderia Ferrari commemorated Forghieri's passing with decals reading "ciao Furia",meaning" goodbye Fury, "Forghieri's nickname during his time at Ferrari. These decals were applied to Scuderia FerrariF1-75cars at the2022 São Paulo Grand Prixand488 GTEcars at the2022 8 Hours of BahrainFIA World Endurance Championship race.[36][37]

Formula One Championships

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Forghieri-designed cars won eightWorld Constructors'and fourWorld Drivers'championships.

No. Season Constructors' Champion Drivers' Champion Car Engine
1 1964 Ferrari John Surtees 158/1512 Ferrari1.5LV8/Flat-12
2 1975 Ferrari Niki Lauda 312T Ferrari3.0LFlat-12
3 1976 Ferrari — 312T2
4 1977 Ferrari Niki Lauda 312T2
5 1979 Ferrari Jody Scheckter 312T4
6 1982 Ferrari — 126C2 Ferrari1.5LV6turbo
7 1983 Ferrari — 126C3

References

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  1. ^Fagnan, René (31 January 2018)."The first appearance of wings on Formula 1 cars".us.motorsport.com.Retrieved7 March2020.
  2. ^Barlow, Jason(2 November 2022)."One of Ferrari's greatest ever engineers, Mauro Forghieri, has died".Top Gear.BBC Studios.Retrieved3 November2022.
  3. ^David, Dennis (1 January 2012)."Mauro Forghieri".sportscardigest.com.Retrieved2 November2022.
  4. ^Fragale, Martina; Forghieri, Mauro (15 January 2018)."Mauro Forghieri – Chapter 1".International Classic.Retrieved7 March2020.
  5. ^ab"Mauro Forghieri Biography".grandprixhistory.org.January 2014.Retrieved7 March2020.
  6. ^abcdefMangiamele, Guy; Forghieri, Mauro (February 1989). "Mauro Forghieri: A Look Back".Cavallino.49:17–20.
  7. ^Behnia, Afshin (13 June 2013)."Legendary Ferrari F1 Engineer Speaks About His Life & Career".Petrolicious.Retrieved7 March2020.
  8. ^abcdNye, Doug(August 2019)."Mauro Forghieri".Motor Sport Magazine.Retrieved2 November2020.
  9. ^ab"Legendary Ferrari engineer Mauro Forghieri passes away aged 87".Formula One.2 November 2022.Retrieved2 November2022.
  10. ^Pourret, Jess G. (1987),Ferrari 250 GT Competition Cars,Haynes,ISBN0-85429-556-9
  11. ^Rosetti, Giancarlo (May 2005). "Legend of the GTO 65".Forza.61:36–42.
  12. ^"Mauro Forghieri Biography Pt 2".grandprixhistory.org.January 2014.Retrieved6 May2020.
  13. ^Tanner, Hans;Nye, Doug(1984).Ferrari.Nye, Doug. (6th ed.). Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset: Haynes.ISBN0854293507.OCLC12418956.
  14. ^Garton, Nick (2016).Ferrari 312T owners' workshop manual: 1975-1980 (312T, T2, T3, T4, T5 & T6): owners' workshop manual.Sparkford.ISBN978-0-85733-811-2.OCLC953857583.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  15. ^Barlow, Jason."Great Ferrari Innovations: The F1 semi-automatic gearbox".www.ferrari.com.Retrieved18 December2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  16. ^Forghieri, Mauro (2013).Forghieri on Ferrari: 1947 to the present.Daniele Buzzonetti, Giorgio Piola. Vimodrone: Giorgio Nada Editore.ISBN978-88-7911-565-0.OCLC796758017.
  17. ^"Close Encounter – The story of Lamborghini and Formula 1".Car Throttle.2 April 2017.Retrieved2 November2020.
  18. ^Nyberg, Rainer (2001)."McLaren's brief flirtation with the Chrysler empire".8w.forix.com.Archived fromthe originalon 5 March 2016.Retrieved8 April2016.
  19. ^"1990 Lotus 102 Lamborghini – Images, Specifications and Information".Ultimatecarpage.com.Retrieved2 November2020.
  20. ^"The Mexican GLAS F1 project".UNRACEDF1.COM.26 November 2017.Retrieved2 November2020.
  21. ^"Lamborghini 291 • STATS F1".www.statsf1.com.Retrieved2 November2020.
  22. ^"People – Mike Royce".www.grandprix.com.Retrieved2 November2020.
  23. ^Barlow, Jason (16 August 2019)."This is the £9m Bugatti Centodieci".Top Gear.Retrieved2 November2020.
  24. ^"Bonhams: 1993 Bugatti EB 110VIN. ZA9AB01E0PCD39034Engine no. 0051".www.bonhams.com.Retrieved2 November2020.
  25. ^Golden, Conner (22 June 2020)."Flashback: The Bugatti EB112 V-12 Supersedan That Was Almost Real".Automobile Magazine.Retrieved2 November2020.
  26. ^Damf, Andrew (30 April 2014)."Ayrton Senna a loved inspiration in Formula 1".Stuff.Retrieved2 November2020.
  27. ^ab"Informazioni Generali".www.oralengineering.com.Retrieved7 March2020.
  28. ^"I Fondatori".www.oralengineering.com.Retrieved7 March2020.
  29. ^F1i.com (22 January 2015)."Ferrari engineer Mauro Forghieri at 80: Still" Furia "…".F1i.com.Retrieved7 March2020.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  30. ^"Bonhams: The Turin Motor Show,1980 Ferrari 'Pinin' Sports Saloon Chassis no. TBA".www.bonhams.com.Retrieved7 March2020.
  31. ^AlKhalisi, Farah (14 December 2006)."Retrospective: Automobiles and aeroplanes: Project 1221".Channel 4.Archived fromthe originalon 16 February 2007.
  32. ^"Project 1221 Updates Archive".Project 1221.27 June 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 17 July 2012.Retrieved23 April2020.
  33. ^Noble, Jonathan (2 November 2022)."Mauro Forghieri obituary: Legendary Ferrari F1 designer dies at 87".Autosport.Retrieved3 November2022.
  34. ^Hughes, Mark (2 November 2022)."Mark Hughes' tribute to Ferrari engineering genius Forghieri".the-race.com.Retrieved3 November2022.
  35. ^Noble, Jonathan (2 November 2022)."Legendary Ferrari F1 designer Mauro Forghieri dies at 87".www.motorsport.com.Retrieved2 November2022.
  36. ^"Scuderia Ferrari pays tribute to Mauro Forghieri".www.ferrari.com.10 November 2022.Retrieved18 December2022.
  37. ^"A special memory".www.ferrari.com.10 November 2022.Retrieved18 December2022.
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