So after 23 hugely successful years at the helm of the world’s most brilliant car maker, Luca di Montezemolo decided this year that it is time to step down and let Sergio Marchionne lead Ferrari to a new era. Here’s the highlights of Luca’s farewell address to Ferrari’s GT Division where they make the road cars.

It is obvious that di Montezemolo was more than a boss to the men and women who work at the Maranello factory. He was more of a father figure to them than a CEO. The fact that many employees had asked on several occasions for a farewell meeting and embrace with Mr Montezemolo before he leaves speaks volumes about how they felt about their boss. Luca was like the Don of the family.

For di Montezemolo’s farewell speech two thousand people gathered in a large marquee at the factory yesterday, including Vice-Chairman Piero Ferrari and CEO Amedeo Felisa. They played Gino Paoli song “Una lunga storia d’amore” (“An enduring love story”) as a tribute to the big guy.

Marchionne may well be a better business leader than Luca, but he sure isn’t as charismatic. “You are the power behind Ferrari, the most beautiful company in the world. You are the real architects of its triumphs. You are Ferrari,” said di Montezemolo to the Maranello workers.