Ferrari designer Rory Byrne has been honoured for his achievements in mechanical excellence that in turn has shone back on his native South Africa and the Wits University where he secured his degree back in 1964.

His Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and applied mathematics didn’t give him any real training in motor engineering but now, over forty years later he has been awarded an honorary doctorate in engineering in recognition of the years of successful Formula One contenders that have taken Michael Schumacher and Ferrari to glory on five occasions.

The first car Byrne ever designed was a Formula Ford back in 1972.