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This article does not cite any references or sources. (December 2009) |
| Alfredo Ferrari | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alfredo Ferrari January 19, 1932 Modena, Italy |
| Died | June 30, 1956 (aged 24) Cimitero di San Cataldo, Modena, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
Alfredo Ferrari (born January 1932 in Modena; died 30 June 1956 in Modena), nicknamed Alfredino or Dino, was an Italian automotive engineer and the son of Enzo Ferrari and his wife, Laura Dominica Gaurello.
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Early life [edit]
Enzo Ferrari decided to name Alfredo after his grandfather. Alfredino is loosely translated into English as "little Alfredo".
At the time of Alfredo's birth, Enzo was a racing driver for Alfa Romeo. He had vowed to stop racing cars if he had a son. True to his word, after Alfredo's birth, Enzo stopped racing cars and concentrated on racing team management via his newly formed Scuderia Ferrari.
From an early age Enzo groomed his son to be his successor, and therefore sent him to some of the best schools in Europe. Alfredo studied economics in Bologna before moving to mechanical engineering in Switzerland. Over time it was clear that something was wrong with him. His physical movements gradually became stiff and often he was unable to maintain his balance. Doctors at that point of time had no idea what was afflicting him. He only managed to complete two years of his engineering education, which was enough for Enzo to call his son "engineer".
Career at Ferrari [edit]
Enzo would often refer to his son among his colleagues as "my technical son". In Alfredo's short career at Ferrari, he was widely credited for the 750 Monza racing car and to a limited extent a 1.5-litre V6 that would later see action in Ferrari's early Formula racers. Alfredo suggested to his father the development of a 1.5 L DOHC V6 engine for F2 at the end of 1955. To honor his son, Enzo named the V-6 engine series of road and racing cars after him.
Death [edit]
Soon afterwards, Alfredo fell ill, suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. While in a hospital, he discussed technical details with the engineer Vittorio Jano. Alfredo would never see the engine; he died on 30 June 1956 at the age of 24, before his namesake Dino and Fiat Dino automobiles were produced.
The death of Alfredo also took a toll on Enzo's marriage as Laura never got over the death of her only son. Laura died in 1978. After the death of his wife, Enzo publicly announced that he had another son, Piero whom he fathered with his mistress, Lina Lardi. Piero would later take over operations of Ferrari after the death of Enzo in 1988.
The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Italy was originally named in Alfredo's honour alone; Enzo's name was added after his own death in 1988.
References [edit]
- Pritchard, Anthony (2009). Ferrari: Men from Maranello. Haynes Publishing. p. 98. ISBN 978-1-84425-414-9.
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