Mauro Forghieri

Mauro Forghieri (born 13 January 1935) is an Italian mechanical engineer, best known for his work as a Formula One racing car designer with Scuderia Ferrari during the 1960s and 1970s. He is credited for introducing the first designed rear wings to Formula One at the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix,[1] and designing the first transversal automatic gear, also known as T gear.

Mauro Forghieri
Forghieri in 2005
Born (1935-01-13) 13 January 1935
Modena, Italy
NationalityItalian
OccupationFormula One car designer

Early life

Forghieri was born in Modena, the only child of Reclus and Afra Forghieri. His father Reclus, a turner, did war work during World War II for the Ansaldo mechanical workshops of Naples. During this time, Mauro lived primarily with his mother, spending time in Naples, Milan, Modena and Abbiategrasso. After the conflict, the Forghieri family reunited and returned to Modena, where Reclus began working in the Ferrari workshop in Maranello.[2] Meanwhile, Mauro completed the Liceo Scientifico and in 1959 obtained a laurea in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bologna.[3][4]

Ferrari
Forghieri (right) with John Surtees inspecting a Ferrari 1512 in 1965 at the Nürburgring.

Despite his initial interest in aviation design, Forghieri accepted an internship offer from Ferrari, where he had been introduced by his father.[5] 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, including Vittorio Jano, Carlo Chiti and Luigi Bazzi, as well as race director Romolo Tavoni. He also worked alongside Gian Paolo Dallara, who joined Ferrari shortly after Forghieri in 1960. Forghieri's early work at the factory involved both racing cars and production road cars.[3][4]

In 1961, a few key figures at Ferrari, including chief designer Carlo Chiti, left to join the breakaway ATS Formula 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 by Enzo Ferrari to begin studying the "full technical questions of the Factory" (Forghieri's words). As he was only 27 years of age at the time, Forghieri received guidance from a few more experienced staff members, including Franco Rocchi, Walter Salvarani and Angelo 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 the drafting department.[4]

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

Notable designs at Ferrari

Forghieri was involved to some degree in the development of every racing car produced by the Factory between his hiring in 1960 and his departure in 1987.

The sports racing cars designed under Forghieri's supervision included the GT-class 250 GTO, the development of which Forghieri continued after the original team headed by Chiti and Giotto Bizzarrini left during the 1961 walkout.[7] Other GT-class cars included competition versions of the 275 GTB[8] and the 330 LMB. Sports prototypes designed by Forghieri's team included the P series and later iterations of the Dino series, starting with the 1965 Dino 166 P.[6] Forghieri has stated that the 1967 330 P4 was his favorite out of all the cars he has designed.[9]

In 1964, Forghieri designed the V8-powered Ferrari 158, in which John Surtees won 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.[6][10]

Forghieri (kneeling, right) with driver Carlos Reutemann testing the Ferrari 312 T3 at Zandvoort in 1978

Beginning in 1966, Forghieri designed the Ferrari 312 series (consisting of the 312 and 312B formula one cars and 312P and 312PB sportscars).[6] He also designed the first transversal automatic gear and Ferrari's first turbocharged engine. Under his guidance Ferrari won the driver's F1 world championship title four times, with John Surtees (1964), Niki Lauda (1975 and 1977), and Jody Scheckter (1979). Ferrari also won the constructors F1 world championship title eight times.


Lamborghini and Bugatti

In September 1987 Forghieri joined Lamborghini Engineering,[4] a department created by Lee Iacocca, the then CEO of Chrysler, who had bought the Emilian car firm Lamborghini.[11]

In that organization, which had the ex-Ferrari Daniele Audetto as sports director, Forghieri designed the naturally aspirated Lamborghini 3512 V12 engine, which made its Formula One racing debut at the 1989 Brazilian Grand Prix. The V12 engine was used by the Larrousse/Lola team during the 1989 F1 season.[12] This engine was also used in the 1990 Lotus 102 F1 car.[13]

Following the encouraging performance of the engine, the project of designing a complete F1 car was conceived, thanks to financing by the Mexican businessman Fernando Gonzalez Luna. The newly-formed team was named GLAS F1, from an abbreviation of Gonzales Luna ASsociates. Former journalist Leopoldo Canettoli was picked to run the team. The car's suspension and gearbox were designed by Forghierei and the bodywork was designed by Mario Tolentino. The first complete car, the GLAS 001, was slated for a debut at the 1990 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 by Carlo Patrucco in July 1990. Patrucco created Modena Team (also known as the Lamborghini or "Lambo" team) and the Forghieri/Tolentino designed car debuted as the Lambo 291 at the 1991 United States Grand Prix.[14][15]

In 1991 the Lamborghini Engineering department was completely reorganized by Chrysler enterprise and Forghieri was replaced by Mike Royce.[16] In 1992, he became the technical director of the re-emerging Bugatti, where he stayed until 1994.[17] While at Bugatti, Forghieri was involved in the development of the EB 110 and the EB 112.[18][19]

In 1994, he was called as an expert in the trial relating to the death of driver Ayrton Senna at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.[20]

Oral Engineering Group

On 1 January 1995, Forghieri co-founded with Franco Antoniazzi and Sergio Lugli the Oral Engineering Group, a mechanical design company.[21][22] Forghieri is still active in company operations, which include design, research and development of automobile, motorcycle, marine and go-kart engines and components.[21] Clients include BMW, Bugatti and Aprilia.[23] Oral Engineering was commissioned to convert the Ferrari Pinin concept car from a static display into a driveable vehicle.[24]

Project 1221

Around 2005, Forghieri joined Project 1221, an Italian automobile company developing a new MF1 sports car, as chief engineer.[25][26]

References
  1. Fagnan, René (31 January 2018). "The first appearance of wings on Formula 1 cars". us.motorsport.com. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  2. Fragale, Martina; Forghieri, Mauro (15 January 2018). "Mauro Forghieri - Chapter 1". International Classic. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  3. "Mauro Forghieri Biography". grandprixhistory.org. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  4. Mangiamele, Guy; Forghieri, Mauro (February 1989). "Mauro Forghieri: A Look Back". Cavallino. 49: 17–20.
  5. Behnia, Afshin (13 June 2013). "Legendary Ferrari F1 Engineer Speaks About His Life & Career". Petrolicious. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  6. Nye, Doug (August 2019). "Mauro Forghieri". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  7. Pourret, Jess G. (1987), Ferrari 250 GT Competition Cars, Haynes, ISBN 0-85429-556-9
  8. Rosetti, Giancarlo (May 2005). "Legend of the GTO 65". Forza. 61: 36–42.
  9. "Mauro Forghieri Biography Pt 2". grandprixhistory.org. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  10. Tanner, Hans; Nye, Doug (1984). Ferrari. Nye, Doug. (6th ed.). Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset: Haynes. ISBN 0854293507. OCLC 12418956.
  11. "Close Encounter - The story of Lamborghini and Formula 1". Car Throttle. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  12. Rainer Nyberg (2001). "McLaren's brief flirtation with the Chrysler empire". 8w.forix.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  13. "1990 Lotus 102 Lamborghini - Images, Specifications and Information". Ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  14. "The Mexican GLAS F1 project". UNRACEDF1.COM. 26 November 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  15. "Lamborghini 291 • STATS F1". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  16. "People - Mike Royce". www.grandprix.com. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  17. Barlow, Jason (16 August 2019). "This is the £9m Bugatti Centodieci". Top Gear. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  18. "Bonhams : 1993 Bugatti EB 110VIN. ZA9AB01E0PCD39034Engine no. 0051". www.bonhams.com. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  19. Golden, Conner (22 June 2020). "Flashback: The Bugatti EB112 V-12 Supersedan That Was Almost Real". Automobile Magazine. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  20. Damf, Andrew (30 April 2014). "Ayrton Senna a loved inspiration in Formula 1". Stuff. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  21. "Informazioni Generali". www.oralengineering.com. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  22. "I Fondatori". www.oralengineering.com. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  23. F1i.com (22 January 2015). "Ferrari engineer Mauro Forghieri at 80: Still "Furia"…". F1i.com. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  24. "Bonhams : The Turin Motor Show,1980 Ferrari 'Pinin' Sports Saloon Chassis no. TBA". www.bonhams.com. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  25. AlKhalisi, Farah (14 December 2006). "Retrospective: Automobiles and aeroplanes: Project 1221". Channel 4. Archived from the original on 16 February 2007.
  26. "Project 1221 Updates Archive". Project 1221. 27 June 2005. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
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