Hold onto your steering wheels, car fans! There’s a jaw-dropping move shaking up the supercar universe. Luca di Montezemolo, the iconic figure who made Ferrari the powerhouse it is today, has just been listed as a director at McLaren’s parent company. Yeah, you read that right!
Who is Montezemolo? Think Ferrari Royalty.
This isn’t just some random executive. Montezemolo is the guy who took Ferrari from a revered name to a global supercar empire. Starting close to Enzo Ferrari himself back in the 70s, he came back to run the show in 1991. Under his leadership (until 2014), Ferrari wasn’t just winning Formula 1 championships (hello, Schumacher era!), it was churning out absolute legendary road cars we all drool over: the F355, the stunning Enzo, the LaFerrari… the list goes on. He basically defined what a modern, ultra-desirable supercar brand looks like.
So… Why McLaren?!
Sharp-eyed folks digging through the UK’s official company registry spotted Montezemolo’s name listed as a director for McLaren Group Holdings. That’s the big umbrella over McLaren Automotive – the part that builds those beautiful British supercars.
Here’s the kicker: he’s joining the road car side of McLaren, not (as far as we know) their F1 team. That makes this even more intriguing! We’re talking about one of Ferrari’s arch-rivals bringing in the mastermind behind Ferrari’s golden age. Talk about poaching the ultimate playbook!
McLaren Needs Serious Help (and They Know It)
Let’s be real, McLaren Automotive has had a rough few years. Financial wobbles, leadership playing musical chairs… it hasn’t been smooth sailing. That’s why Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings stepped in last year, merging McLaren Automotive with their EV startup (Forseven) and installing a new CEO (ex-Jaguar Land Rover R&D boss Nick Collins).
Bringing Montezemolo onto the board? That’s a massive signal. It screams: “We need the Ferrari magic, and we’re getting the guy who wrote the book.” Seriously, who else alive understands how to turn a premium car brand around like he does?
From F1 Foes to Boardroom Buddies? The Rivalry Deepens
Ferrari vs. McLaren is one of motorsport’s greatest rivalries, especially fierce during Montezemolo’s own reign when Ferrari dominated. The irony is delicious: decades later, the architect of Ferrari’s success might be the key to helping McLaren finally get its road car act together. Not with faster laps this time, but with smarter strategy.
This is way bigger than just a new board member. Montezemolo joining McLaren feels like a seismic shift in supercar history. The legendary boss who was Ferrari might now be the one to revive its fiercest British rival.
Imagine if he works his magic again? We could be looking at a whole new generation of McLarens that redefine what a British supercar means – just like he once did for Italy. Buckle up, this is going to be fascinating to watch!
