Cinema has allowed us to delve into a fascinating fragment of the life of Enzo Ferrari, founder of the prestigious car brand, masterfully played by Adam Driver in Michael Mann’s latest film, baptized as Ferrari. Although you might think that the film revolves exclusively around luxury cars, the script goes further and delves into the personal and professional challenges and triumphs of Il Commendatore.
At the center of the plot, the Ferrari firm finds itself in a critical situation, with the urgent need to increase its car sales to continue competing on the circuits. The goal is clear: sell 400 cars a year, an ambitious goal that includes triumphing in the emblematic Mille Miglia race in 1957.
The film not only immerses the viewer in the world of racing, but also offers a glimpse into the Ferrari founder’s complicated relationship with his wife Laura, brilliantly played by Penélope Cruz, and which is marked by the shadow of loss. of his son Dino.
But the real protagonists are not made of flesh and blood, but rather they are made of metal and have four wheels. Although there are several worth mentioning, three stand out above the rest.
This mechanical marvel, powered by a 4.0-liter V12 engine with 387 HP, is capable of reaching 300 km/h. For the film, faithful replicas were created not only in appearance but also in performance, a feat that allowed the intensity of the races to be recreated with evident realism. Marc Gené, in a memorable cameo, drives one of these cars, which enhances the authenticity of the race sequences.
This powerful vehicle equipped with a 4.5 liter V8 engine and 400 HP, is a great competitor in the movie – it was also a great competitor in real life -. Despite the skills of its drivers, the Maserati 450S proved to be a formidable challenge, and Stirling Moss described it as one of the most difficult cars he had ever driven.
Among the power of the cars that usually compete in races, there is one that stands out for its simplicity compared to the luxurious Ferraris. This is the Peugeot 403, Enzo Ferrari’s personal car in the film. This detail not only reveals a lesser-known facet of the brand’s founder, but also highlights the importance of his personal relationships throughout his life, in this case, his friendship with Battista “Pinin ” Farina.