#NicolaMaterazzi

Nicola Materazzi (Caselle in Pittari, January 28, 1939 – Sapri, August 23, 2022) was an Italian engineer renowned for his contributions to high-performance automotive engineering. Over the course of his career, he played a key role in the development of several iconic supercars, including the Ferrari 288 GTO, the Ferrari F40, the Bugatti EB110, and the B Engineering Edonis. Hired by Lancia in June 1968, Materazzi quickly became involved in the brand’s motorsport projects. One of his first major assignments was the development of the Lancia Stratos for rally competition, a car that would go on to dominate the World Rally Championship in the 1970s. His expertise in turbocharging and performance engineering made him an essential figure in Lancia’s rallying endeavors. During his tenure at Lancia, he also contributed to the development of the Lancia Rally 037, a car designed to compete in the highly demanding Group B rally category. The 037, which succeeded the Stratos and the Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo, was the last rear-wheel-drive car to win the World Rally Championship, securing the title for Lancia in 1983. Materazzi was instrumental in refining its supercharged four-cylinder engine, ensuring optimal power delivery and responsiveness in rally conditions. His work on the 037 laid the foundation for Lancia’s subsequent domination in rallying with the all-wheel-drive Delta S4 and Delta Integrale. Following his time at Lancia, Materazzi moved to Ferrari, where he further solidified his reputation by leading the development of the 288 GTO and, most notably, the Ferrari F40—the last Ferrari personally approved by Enzo Ferrari and a benchmark in the world of supercars. His deep technical knowledge and innovative approach to aerodynamics, lightweight materials, and forced induction systems established him as one of the most influential engineers in Italian automotive history.

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