Franco Gozzi, a protagonist in Ferrari’s history

[Rob]

Maranello, 23 April – Franco Gozzi, who was part of the history of the Prancing Horse, passed away today in Modena, aged 81.

“We have lost a key figure in the history of Ferrari,” said President Luca di Montezemolo. “My most abiding memory is of all the hours we spent together, talking about drivers and cars and I am grateful for the fact he was close to me when I was a young sporting director at the Scuderia.”

It is hard to sum up in a single word what Franco was to the company: sporting director, press officer, head of communications and above all, one of the closest advisers and confidants to Enzo Ferrari. He was not just a witness to events and quite how much of an active part he played in the life of the Maranello marque can be understood from looking at photo albums from the past in which, over a period of around thirty years, he appears alongside the Founder: he was his spokesman and sometimes the purveyor of his silences.

Those who knew him well and shared outstanding moments with him as well as daily life in the company, recall his humanity, and his sense of irony, while those who met him during the final chapter of his life at Maranello recall his great ability to put across through apparently innocuous anecdotes, the values that have made Ferrari a legend around the world.

http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/fra...rraris-history

[wisepie]

The Old Order is slipping away but the legend of Ferrari will be eternal. RIP Franco.

[REDARMYSOJA]

RIP Franco.

[Liscia]

Gratitude for all he did for our team and condolences to all
those of his family that he leaves behind. Lines to Ferrari's
past are diminished by another significant link. RIP Sr.Gozzi
and please convey our best regards to the Commendatore
when next you meet.

[Tifoso]

Eternal rest grant unto him, o Lord...

[Nova]

RIP Franco.

[Massimo]

Ciao Signor Gozzi, Resta In Pace Consigliere.
Sempre alla destra del Drake.

[Ken]

Thank you Franco

[SilverSpeed]

RIP

30 years Enzo's right hand!

[sagi58]

Condolences to family, friends and fans!

Because I didn't know a lot about Senor Gozzi, I did a little research!
Thought I'd share this:

Piero Ferrari remembers Franco Gozzi

Maranello, 23 April –If there is one man at Ferrari today who, more than anyone can claim to have known Franco Gozzi well, it is Piero Ferrari and he wished to remember him with these words: “I spent so many years together with Franco,” the son of the Founder told www.ferrari.com. “From 1965, the year I began working in the company, up to the day he left.
It was a long time, almost a lifetime, which meant I got to know and appreciate him deeply, from every point of view, as an individual and professionally. His greatest talent was his ability to never get angry: he was always ready with a joke, even after a proverbial roasting from my father.”

http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/pie...s-franco-gozzi

[wisepie]

Nice comments from Piero Ferrari, a bit tongue in cheek and makes a change to read of someone light-hearted tempering the Drake, as Enzo was always portrayed to be so severe.