Ferrari.  I saw the movie for the second time yesterday.  A friend, (who has spent a good amount of time at race tracks) and I met at the theater.  The arc of the story, the birth of the Enzo Ferrari company is entwined with its founders history in post-WWII Italy, his conflict fraught marriage with Laura, the tremors caused by the death of their son Dino aged 24, and his dedication to his mistress Lina, and to their son Piero, who now is vice-chairman of Ferrari Auto Group.  This story is one of ambition to be the best, measuring one’s self by one’s competitors, of decisions which only in retrospect are seen as mistakes, and of the joy of living/driving to win above all.  I loved this speech given by Enzo Ferrari at the meal table on the eve of the thousand mile road race, the Mille Miglia.  For one driver on the team the evening was a “last supper.”

“Am I a sportsman or a competitor?”

So Enzo Ferrari asks in 1957, and his drivers know better than to answer. To drive for Ferrari, you must be a competitor—bold and ruthless. Do not cede the racing line. Do not brake to let the other fellow squeeze past. “Brake later,” Ferrari says. “Steal their line. Make them make the mistake.”

They must be loyal to just one thing Enzo tells his men: “Loyal to the lust to win.”

This song composed by Bruce Springsteen, seems consonant with the spirit of the Ferrari story.  Tougher Than The Rest by Bruce Springsteen.

Tougher Than The Rest

By Bruce Springsteen

Well, it’s Saturday night
You’re all dressed up in blue
I been watching you awhile
Maybe you been watching me, too
So somebody ran out
Left somebody’s heart in a mess
Well, if you’re looking for love
Honey, I’m tougher than the rest

Some girls, they want a handsome Dan
Or some good-lookin’ Joe on their arm
Some girls like a sweet-talkin’ Romeo
Well, ’round here, baby
I learned you get what you can get
So if you’re rough enough for love
Honey, I’m tougher than the rest

The road is dark
And it’s a thin thin line
But I want you to know I’ll walk it for you any time
Maybe your other boyfriends
Couldn’t pass the test
Well, if you’re rough and ready for love
Honey, I’m tougher than the rest

Well, it ain’t no secret
I’ve been around a time or two
Well, I don’t know baby maybe you’ve been around too
Well, there’s another dance
All you gotta do is say yes
And if you’re rough and ready for love
Honey, I’m tougher than the rest
If you’re rough enough for love
Baby, I’m tougher than the rest

Lyrics by Bruce Springsteen