Luca Dal Monte is an Italian author and former automotive communications executive whose books examine motorsport, business, and soccer. Born in Cremona, he began writing for La Provincia as a teenager. He later studied U.S. history and political science at the University of Kentucky before returning to Italy and working in public relations for institutions and automotive companies.
His best-known work is the Enzo Ferrari biography published in Italian as Ferrari Rex in 2016 and subsequently translated into English. The 2026 book The Gentleman turns to Gianluca Vialli, whom Dal Monte knew from nursery school in Cremona. They played soccer together before Vialli joined U.S. Cremonese, and their friendship continued through his professional career. Dal Monte’s bibliography also includes Italian-language nonfiction, novels, and short stories about motor racing.
Luca Dal Monte Books
| Book | Year | Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Enzo Ferrari | 2018 | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Gentleman | 2026 | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Schumacher | 2027 | Description / Buy at Amazon |
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Dal Monte’s communications career included senior roles with Peugeot Italy, Toyota Motor Italy, Pirelli, Ferrari, and Maserati. That industry experience preceded his move into full-time writing. His Ferrari biography developed from conversations with journalist Gino Rancati and years of subsequent archival research. He interviewed people connected with Ferrari and worked through newspapers and periodicals to investigate both the public career and less familiar aspects of the manufacturer’s life.
Other books examine the 1957 Mille Miglia tragedy, negotiations involving the sale of Ferrari, and the relationship between Bernie Ecclestone and Alfa Romeo. His fiction also draws on racing: La Scuderia combines espionage and romance with the 1936 Grand Prix season, while his short-story collections explore Formula One in the 1970s. These works extend his interest in racing’s personalities beyond conventional sporting biography.
Auto Racing Books
Enzo Ferrari: The Definitive Biography of an Icon: Dal Monte traces Enzo Ferrari’s life through his driving career, management of Alfa Romeo racing teams, and creation of his own manufacturer. Research conducted in Italy and abroad examines early business difficulties, personal relationships, and political dealings. The biography places the development of a prominent racing organization alongside the ambitions and complicated circumstances of the man whose name it carries. Published in 2016.
The Italian original appeared in 2016, followed by an English edition in 2018 and later editions including the 2024 paperback listed here. Dal Monte examines Ferrari’s dealings with different political authorities as well as the growth of his business. The resulting narrative connects the interwar racing world with the company’s postwar foundation, allowing personal ambition, historical events, and organizational development to remain part of the same story.
Soccer Books
The Gentleman: Gianluca Vialli and How He Changed English Football Forever: This biography follows Gianluca Vialli’s English career after his arrival at Chelsea from Juventus in 1996. Dal Monte examines the player’s transition into management and the cultural changes he helped bring to Stamford Bridge. Interviews and personal knowledge accompany accounts of Chelsea, Watford, and Vialli’s later life, presenting his leadership and relationships alongside his achievements in soccer. Published in 2026.
Vialli arrived at Chelsea shortly after winning the Champions League with Juventus, at a time when the Premier League was becoming more international. The book considers how his approach to preparation, responsibility, and relationships contributed to that transition. Its sources include interviews with Antonio Cabrini, Tim Shaw, and Ciso Pezzotti. Dal Monte also follows the more difficult periods of Vialli’s English journey and his experience of cancer.