Ferrari is an Italian sports car manufacturer founded in 1939 by Enzo Ferrari. However, it was recognized in 1947 when the company completed its first Ferrari-badged car. And according to Brand Finance, it was the world's most powerful brand. In fact, the most expensive car to ever sold in history is a 1962 Ferrari 250GTO in May 2012 which sold for $38.1 million to American communications magnate Craig McCaw.

But Ferrari is known throughout the world because of its regular participation in racing competitions especially in Formula One. In F1 world, it is the most successful racing team, which holds the most constructors championship with 16. It has also produced the highest number of winning drivers at 15. The brand is generally a symbol of luxury, wealth and speed in the racing world.

The brand was very much involved in racing competitions well before it sold road cars. They deliver thoroughbred examples to their customers as a means of supporting its racing activities. And as Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary this week, here are the top 7 greatest race cars of Ferrari as per Drive.

The first on the list is the Ferrari F 2004. For a lot of people, it was the pinnacle of grand prix racing. It has also won 15 out of 18 races under the drivers Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher.

Next on the list is the 1958-1964 Ferrari 250 Series. The car took seven outright victorious from 1958 to 1965. The Ferrari 250 LM represents the finale of the golden age of the brand, wherein Porsche and Ford defeated Ferrari.

Ferrari F2002 was also in the top 7, which was the Ferrari's foundation in the grand prix period. It secured victory in 15 of 19 grand pix from 2002 to 2003. It made some lap records that was only broke by the F2004.

The 1952 Ferrari Tipo 500 was driven by Italian legend Alberto Ascare, who won all won races except one in 1952. He continued his dominance the following year wherein he won nine consecutive wins and claimed another world title.

The Ferrari 458 GTE/GT3 which became popular from 2011-2016, is also in the top 7. The 458 GTE made its debut at Le Mans in 2011 and the late Australian GT champion Allan Simonsen set the pace during its official test day. The brand made a total of three wins at Le Mans and three World Endurance Championship manufacturer's titles.

The 1975 Ferrari 312 T was used by Ferrari when they were in a rush to get back at the top of F1 world. And this car enabled Niki Lauda to reached the top as he claimed the drivers' championship in 1975 and 1977. The South African driver Jody Sheckter also got the world drivers' championship using the same car in 1979.

The last on the list is the 2005 Ferrari FXX, which is a circuit-bred machine that can't be drive on the road. The FXX model tried something different by trying a race-bred version of the Enzo. But instead, FXX became the element of Corsa Clienti, which is an exclusive track day club allowing key clients to play a role in creating future Ferrari models. At the same time, these customers was given an access to world-class circuits and driving coaches.

The Ferrari's 70th anniversary celebration have already started the anniversary celebration in its hometown of Maranello in Emilia-Romagna which is just south of Modena. It will culminate its festivities on September 9-10 in Maranello, as per Telegraph. However, it is expected the Ferrari will also have other events throughout the world that would pay homage to Cavallino Rampante history.

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