Ferrari brings passion and excitement to Stanford & Silicon Valley

The Prancing Horse has conquered the minds of gearheads everywhere for years with their innovation and Italian flare and passion for building supercars. The talk at Stanford University with Ferrari CEO, Lucia di Montezemolo, seems to indicate they also want to conquer the minds of potential tech fans too.

Montezemolo met Apple's CEO Tim Cook as well as the heads of Google, talking in front of more than 600 students from Stanford.

''I’m not here to sell cars, but to communicate a dream,” he said under the applause of the guests at the conference which was titled 'View from the top'.

The Ferrari Chairman encouraged the young students to follow their dreams and not break out of the box. ''Be creative, follow your goals, use technology, dominate innovation, but don’t become dependent on machines, you have to be in the driver’s seat of your lives. Never lose the curiosity for what is around you.”

In the world of technology and digital content the enthusiasm for the amazing supercars from Maranello, that feature avant-garde technology and the passion from those who build them, is enormous.

"Intelligence and innovative ideas can contribute to change and shape the future," Montezemolo concluded. “Passion and attention for the smallest details are what makes our cars, those who create them and those who drive them so special, living continuous excitement.”

Ferrari of course in recent years has put lots of electronics into their cars and made many advances with computer technology. The beauty of Ferrari's technology integration is that it doesn't take away from the pure joy you get when you drive a Ferrari.

Many believe in Silicon Valley believe this is the way technology should be. There to help aid, assist, and make our lives more efficient but doesn't hinder us in enjoying the task at had, like driving a car.

For Ferrari America is still the most important market in the world. Keeping on the forefront of emerging technologies and what companies like Apple and Goolge have to offer is a very good idea.
Passion was also the topic of discussion at the friendly meeting with Tim Cook: ''I was impressed by his availability and openness,” Montezemolo said leaving Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, CA after a 2-hour face-to-face meeting.

“We’re building cars, they build computers. But Apple and Ferrari are connected by the same passion, the same love for the product, maniacal attention to technology, but also to design.” commented Montezemolo.

Tim Cook of course wanted to see the Ferrari FF that Montezemolo had driven to Cupertino close up, admiring the shapes and the interior of the 4-door 4x4 from Maranello. Just like any gearhaed Cook was excited from the thunderous sound of the Ferrari 12-cylinder engine.

I bet Mr. Cook told Luci di Montezemolo he would happily buy one. With all that Apple stock Mr. Cook has, he probably could buy 50 without blinking an eye!

Ferrari that has excited people all over the world and in Silicon Valley the same is true.