The prize was won in 1999 by Jürgen Schrempp (President of DaimlerChrysler), and in 2000 by Jacques Nasser (President of Ford).
The February issue of the American magazine, which also named the Ferrari 456M as Best GT Car 2001, included a long article on Mr. di Montezemolo. Jean Jennings told the international press gathered on the stand, why Montezemolo was chosen to receive the award.
His reasons are nicely summed up in the following quotes from the original article: 'The year 2000 must have been a very special twelve months for the man who nine years ago climbed into the hot seat at Ferrari. The current production cars constitute the best line-up Ferrari has ever had. After 20 fruitless attempts, the Scuderia finally won the coveted Formula 1 Drivers' World title. Our Man of the Year has not only made Ferrari prosper, but he has also pulled Maserati back from the brink '.
Montezemolo 'Man of the Year 2001'
27/02/2001 - Geneva
At the end of the press conference held on the Maserati stand at the Geneva Motor Show, Jean Jenning, Editor-in-Chief of the American monthly Automobile Magazine presented Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, president of Ferrari group with the Man of the Year.