The remarkable goal he delivered was extraordinary. It was a sensational victory for an Italian driver behind the wheel of a Ferrari at the renowned Temple of Speed. Passionate fans, known as Tifosis, are eagerly anticipating a repeat of this performance. Despite close attempts by Michele Alboreto, Teo Fabi, and Riccardo Patrese, no Italian driver has managed to claim victory in their own Grand Prix since Scarfiotti.
His journey began on October 18, 1933, in Turin, the hometown of the FIAT empire. His uncle, Giovanni Agnelli, held a prominent position within the Turin manufacturer.
“Lulu” inherited his love for speed and performance from his father. Historical records show that Luigi Scarfiotti achieved a third place in the 1932 Mille Miglia, driving an Alfa Romeo entered by Scuderia Ferrari.
Ludovico secured a class victory in the 1956 Mille Miglia, driving a FIAT 1100. The overall winner of the race was Eugenio Castellotti, who completed the grueling challenge alone in his Ferrari 290. Scarfiotti also excelled in hillclimb races, winning three consecutive Italian hillclimb championships from 1957 to 1959.
In 1960, he signed a contract to compete in sports car races for Enzo Ferrari. The highlight of the season was a fourth place in the prestigious Targa Florio, held in Sicily. His teammates during this period were Italians Giulio Cabianca and Willy Mairesse. Tragically, Mairesse took his own life in a hotel room in Ostend in 1969.
During the 1960 Le Mans race, Scarfiotti and Rodriguez were forced to retire early. In the following season, Scarfiotti joined Osca and Count Volpi’s Scuderia Serenissima.
In 1962, he met with Enzo Ferrari and won the European hill climb championship behind the wheel of a Ferrari 196 SP. He also emerged victorious in the Gran Turismo race at the Circuito del Garda, this time in a FIAT-Abarth 1000. Collaborating with Colin Davis, Scarfiotti secured a third place in the Paris 1000 km race at Montlhery, driving a Ferrari 250. They finished behind the winning Rodriguez brothers and the duo John Surtees and Mike Parkes, who were driving sister cars.
The 1963 season started off strong for Scarfiotti. He, alongside John Surtees, triumphed in the 12 Hours of Sebring race. In June, the Italian duo Scarfiotti and Lorenzo Bandini emerged victorious in the prestigious Le Mans race. On June 23, 1963, Scarfiotti made his Formula 1 debut at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, driving for Ferrari. He secured the 11th position in qualifying and finished sixth, earning a single point in the championship in his first Formula 1 race.
The excitement was short-lived. The next round took place the following weekend at the Reims street circuit in the champagne region of France. Scarfiotti had an accident during practice, resulting in leg injuries that forced him to sit out the rest of the season.
He returned in 1964 with speed and determination. In March, at Sebring, the Ferrari drivers dominated the podium. Scarfiotti and Targa Florio legend Nino Vaccarella secured second place, behind the winning duo Mike Parkes and Umberto Maglioli.
The Englishman Parkes would later play a significant role in the development of the successful Lancia Stratos rally car. The third Ferrari among the top three was driven by Surtees and Bandini.
Scarfiotti and Vaccarella conquered victory in the 1000 km race at Nürburgring. He returned to the site of his accident, Reims, with Parkes and finished third in the 12-hour race. He also returned to Formula 1, finishing ninth in Monza for Commendatore.
He secured his second European mountain climb championship in 1965 behind the wheel of a Ferrari Dino 206P. Additionally, he clinched his second victory in the 1000 km race at Nürburgring with Surtees in a Ferrari 330P2.
On Sunday, June 4, 1966, the Tifosi witnessed a memorable moment at the Pista Magica. Local hero Ludovico Scarfiotti, driving a vibrant red Ferrari, overtook his teammate and pole position holder Mike Parkes on lap 28, thrilling his compatriots at Parco Monza. He set the fastest lap on his way to the checkered flag on lap 68.
This marked Ludovico Scarfiotti’s first and only victory in a Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix. It was the first time an Italian driver had won their home Grand Prix since Alberto Ascari in 1952, also driving a prancing horse.
The highlight of Scarfiotti’s 1967 season was a shared victory, alongside his Ferrari teammate Parkes, in the unofficial Formula 1 race in Siracusa, Sicily. In sports car races, he secured runner-up positions with Parkes in Daytona, Monza, and Le Mans, trailing behind the winning Ford GT40 of the American dream team, Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt.
On June 8, 1968, Scarfiotti took part in a mountain climb event in Rossfeld, Germany. During practice, shortly after Rolf Stommelen had an accident in his Porsche and broke his hand, his Italian teammate faced a less fortunate fate.
The eight-cylinder Porsche 910 Bergspyder of Scarfiotti went off the road at high speed, colliding with a tree and causing the pilot to be ejected. Severe head injuries proved fatal before he could be transported to the hospital in Berchtesgaden.
The longing for a local hero to win the Italian Grand Prix continues for the Tifosi.
A life full of achievements, from the 12 Hours of Sebring to the remarkable victory in Formula 1 in 1966, driving a Ferrari in Monza: Ludovico Scarfiotti, a distinguished driver.
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