The ninth edition of the
Podio Ferrari, the annual awards for Ferrari's partners
and suppliers worldwide, took place yesterday. The
awards - Ferrari Technology, Ferrari Innovation,
Italian Excellence and the President’s Award
together with a Special Award for Sustainable Energy
- were presented to those companies that distinguished
themselves for their technical and technological
excellence, innovation and product development in
partnership with Ferrari. The ceremony was attended by
Ferrari Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari CEO,
Amedeo Felisa, and the Scuderia Ferrari drivers,
Giancarlo Fisichella e Felipe Massa.
The Ferrari Technology
Award went to Michelin "for the outstanding
contribution to product development and performance for
GT cars." The award was presented by Amedeo Felisa to
Gilles Colas des Francs, Marketing Director Worldwide OE
at Michelin for cars and light vehicles. Michelin is one
of the leading tyre manufacturers, producing and selling
original equipment tyres for vehicles of all types, and
operates out of 72 production sites situated in 19
nations on five continents.
The Ferrari
Innovation Award was presented to MTS Systems "for
the uniqueness of the company’s attitude to innovation
and its competence, relaunching the KERS challenge for
the 2011 F1 season”. Stefano Domenicali, Scuderia
Ferrari Team Principle, handed the prize to Lara
Hamilton, MTS Chairman. The company is the leading
provider of systems for material testing, fatigue
testing and tensile testing for a wide range of
specialist applications, including automotive. Pioneers
in motion simulation systems and calibration services,
the corporation has over 40 years of experience in the
field.
The Italian
Excellence Award went to Fontana in "recognition of
the consolidated partnership in the industrialization
and production of aluminium body shells which ensure
Ferrari GTs are exclusive in terms of development and
style.” Walter Fontana, Fontana Pietro SpA Chairman and
CEO, was presented with the award by Ferrari CEO, Amedeo
Felisa. Fontana is one of the leading international
suppliers for the engineering and manufacture of cold
panel stamping dies for the automotive sector. One of
the company’s core activities is also the stamping and
assembly of aluminium body panels for niche vehicles.
The President’s
Award goes this year, for the second time since its
inception, to Shell, “for the renewal of a successful
binomial in performance and image.” Luca di Montezemolo
presented the award to Andrew Foulds, Vice President
Lubricants R&D. Shell is one of the biggest energy
groups in the world, carrying out exploration, producing
petrochemicals, gas and alternative fuels, as well as
developing alternative forms of renewable energy. Shell
has been involved in researching oil and gas projects
for over a century.
The Special Award
for Sustainable Energy was presented to Fenice, “for
developing and putting into operation the new
tri-generation plant and thus allowing Ferrari to assume
a world-leading position with regard to clean energy and
energy saving.” Patrick Luccioni, EDF Fenice CEO, was
awarded by Luca di Montezemolo. As part of the EDF
group, Fenice is a leader in services in the energy and
environmental sector offering optimum solutions for the
efficient and rational use of energy. With over 50
industrial sites in Europe, the company offers an
integrated structure for the production and distribution
of energy utilities.
