Meshal Al Marzouq’s love affair with Ferrari began, like many great romances, at a wedding. As a schoolboy in the 1980s, he was mesmerized when his sister received a stunning wedding gift: a blue Ferrari 412 with a white interior. “And a blue dashboard, rare for the time,” he fondly recalls, smiling at the memory.
The car was an instant sensation. Family rumors suggest that teenage Meshal might have taken it for a spin before he even had a driving license, a claim he humorously sidesteps in flawless English. After completing his studies in the USA, Meshal acquired his first Ferrari, a 550 Maranello, in his twenties. With a flourishing career in the family business—spanning commercial real estate and diverse investments in European banking and finance—his relationship with Ferrari has evolved into that of a dedicated and discerning ‘Ferrarista.’
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Today, Meshal owns “around a dozen” Ferraris, from V6 models to hybrids like the LaFerrari and the SF90. His passion for cars is a shared family affair. His son Khaled, 26, is carving out a career in the family business and competes successfully in the Challenge racing series. His daughter Sarah, 24, has completed her Master’s degree in England and also enjoys borrowing cars from her father’s impressive collection.
“They love and respect the cars, and I trust them enough to drive all of them,” Meshal says. “Not the LaFerrari, though!” he quickly adds with a nervous laugh. “Getting replacement parts for that wouldn’t be so simple.”
A “Garage-Museum” is currently being designed as a state-of-the-art home for his Kuwait-based collection, set to house around twenty cars by next year. Speaking shortly after his latest visit to Maranello, Meshal confirmed that all six of his V12 Ferraris have undergone the Tailor Made treatment, reflecting the artistic sensibilities of the Al Marzouq family, known for their appreciation of art.
“For me, the V12 is like a ‘line’ that flows through Ferrari. I drive many other cars, but V12s are V12s,” he muses. “It’s because of the sound, the torque, the overall feeling.” He pauses, then continues thoughtfully, “Nowadays, there are many new cars, hybrids, and so on. But the feeling behind the V12 is different. Totally different.”
Meshal’s daily driver is always a Ferrari. “My basic car is the SF90 Stradale,” he explains. “It’s hybrid so it’s quiet. When I leave home and reach the office, nobody knows!” he laughs. “But on weekends, I enjoy the V12 cars.”
The conversation turns to Meshal’s brother, a renowned horse breeder in a region famous for its equine culture. This prompts Meshal to elaborate on what makes the V12 so special for him.
“Sure, it’s the sound and the power, to be honest with you.” He pauses, searching for the right words. “It’s like when you are riding a horse and holding onto the reins. The horse is always ready, ready to go whenever you need it.”
And the V12 feels like a pedigree horse champing at the bit? “Yes, just like a horse,” he confirms, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
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