Enzo Ferrari was an Italian car developer and founder of the luxury sports car manufacturer Ferrari. He began his career as a racing driver in 1919 and later founded Scuderia Ferrari, a racing team sponsored by Alfa Romeo, in 1929. He left Alfa Romeo in 1939 to found his own company, Auto Avio Costruzioni, which produced its first car in 1940. In 1947, he changed the name of the company to Ferrari and began producing road cars. Ferrari's cars have become synonymous with luxury and performance, and the company is one of the most successful and recognizable brands in the world.