The Positive Wisdom of Horacio Pagani

Article by Clarissa Burt

World class, iconic, and on the top of his game, Horacio Pagani is all these things. Known for his exquisite attention to detail, those who know something about his career in automobile design will tell you that the sports cars, the Zonda and the Huayra are worth their exquisite costs. Pagani’s traits of modesty, unpretentiousness, and relaxed contrast with also being fiercely determined, laser focused, and unrelenting in his pursuit of quality. As I faced Horacio, my good friend, over a zoom call this summer, he shared his life philosophy, his loves, and his humble beginnings. When we began speaking, it was about the year 2020 and what the experience of it has meant for us. His wisdom was centered on positivity.

PAGANI: Well, let’s say that these are times where we come to know those who think in the positive or in negative. Confront your day with positive energy and thoughts. Certainly, these are times that separate the wheat from the chaff.

BURT: True. I know your mindset is positive, but do you worry?

PAGANI: At times, I wake up at night—I have difficulty sleeping [because I am] thinking of my responsibility for 170 employees. In light of COVID-19, I think of their health. During the financial crisis of 2008-2009, there was little cash flow, but there was no virus that was out to kill.

BURT: Where did you find the strength to plow ahead when Italy was stricken with pandemic and quarantine?

PAGANI: I don’t have any particular recipe…every day I adjust with the events. I’m not afraid of problems. Quite the contrary—they challenge me; they give me more energy and adrenaline. I knew I had to be at my best in order to work for myself and my co-workers. Every day, we give our time and passion. Notwithstanding this difficult time and a noticeable sales slump, we invested a lot in education, research and development. As we’ve seen historically, if you don’t invest in research and development, and new projects, when the race starts again, you risk starting from the last row instead of from the first. This has always been my philosophy.

As you know, I was born in Argentina. When I was 19 years old, there was a military government, 5,000 percent inflation—a very arduous situation. I arrived in Italy and worked for Lamborghini.

It’s always better to be an optimist, to be mentally awake. Otherwise how can I transmit enthusiasm to the creative people who work with me? We design cars that create emotions. If I am able to transmit the emotions, the magic, the possibilities, that work within me, it will show in their work.

BURT: You’ve never been afraid…?

PAGANI: I don’t feel fear often, but when I do, it is something that fuels me. Fear isn’t always something negative. It should never block you.

BURT: What is your leadership style?

PAGANI: I try to delegate the most I can. Building a Pagani car is very complicated. It’s made of 10,000 components and there are 10,000 regulations which I must uphold. The Italian bureaucracy is very complicated, which makes things tougher. Our product is the result of teamwork. With a median age of 31, our employees are dedicated to their craft. I give them a certain amount of freedom, but I always circle back to control things.

BURT: So, your approach is an open-door? Closed-door?

PAGANI: Well, I would say open-door because I’m pretty hands-on. I circle back to control things.

BURT: I understand Pagani experienced a success at the Geneva Car Show in March this year even though it had to be presented online.

PAGANI: Yes. It went really well.

BURT: Where do you see Pagani in five years?

PAGANI: In the next five years we will have all our projects lined up. We have a car that is ready for the race, but not to race. In 2022, expect the new Pagani car. We’re working on an electric car—we think it is the right direction to go. We have the Pagani art division and we’re designing airplane interiors. We designed the interior of a helicopter for a head of state. In Taiwan, we’re de-signing 27 suites in a hotel, and we’ve started designing furniture. All of our merchandise is de-signed in-house. These other activities keep things fresh, new, alive.

BURT: Besides your marriage and children, what was the moment you felt to be the peak of success?

PAGANI: Success is a word that is too important. I tell people who work with me that when I’m 100 years old and not around, they can use the word 'success.’ I prefer the word ‘results.’

BURT: Ah! Well, can you at least tell me about a time of extraordinary results for you?

PAGANI: The situation here in Italy at the moment is not the happiest. To have a job, and to work on a Saturday if I choose to, mean I am fortunate. I have spoken with my employees and asked them to keep their feet on the ground, to work diligently, even if it means giving up a vacation. Pagani’s new car will be presented in 2022, and until then we have to keep our hopes and intentions high.

BURT: Will you tell me something about you that no one knows?

PAGANI: Some people may think that after having done the things I have, I’m Superman. People think I can handle everything and never think I might have to think about suffering. I am fragile at times, but I try to bring positivity to all things I do.

BURT: I Understand. I often say, “I’m never as strong as I am fragile.”

PAGANI: I’d like to think my company has ‘iron health.’ If the new car coming out in 2022 is a flop, we’re done. It’s over. We have to keep our attention very high.

BURT: Is there something you’ve wanted to do that you’ve put off or delayed? Are you waiting for the proper time to launch a personal project?

PAGANI: Everything I wanted to do—I’m doing. When I was a kid, I made model cars. We’re now making them life-sized (without motors, but soon they’ll be motorized). One thing I regret is that I’ve not yet done a project about health. I’m working on it and cannot talk about it yet, but it would have helped during the time of pandemic. I hope to bring it to fruition soon.

Knowing Horacio Pagani as I do, I believe his new ventures will come to fruition in a post-pandemic world where everything is better for everyone. Learn more about the company at www.pagani.com, and keep your eyes open as Pagani’s other products and ventures race to create a better world.