Romeo strengthened the company by bringing in Enzo Ferrari, then a driver and team manager. Engineer Vittorio Jano, recruited from Fiat, was tasked with designing the P2 to establish Alfa Romeo’s presence in international competition.

“Listen,” Romeo said. “I am not expecting you to make a car which will beat all others, but I’d like one which will make us look good, so that we can make an identity card for this factory, then later, when it has a name, we’ll make the car.”

Introduced in 1924, Alfa Romeo’s P2 emerged as a direct challenger to Bugatti, whose Type 35 became one of the most successful race cars in history, winning races against the marque and securing the inaugural World Automobile Championship in 1925.

Alfa Romeo also recorded earlier success with a victory at the 1923 Targa Florio.

Before entering the automotive sector, Romeo built his career in engineering and industrial manufacturing. He earned degrees in civil and electrical engineering in Naples and Liège, Belgium, and worked with British and American companies in the railway sector. In 1906, he founded Ing. Nicola Romeo & C. in Milan, importing machinery for civil engineering projects.

During World War I, Romeo expanded his business and shifted production to support the war effort. In 1918, he reorganized the company as Società Anonima Italiana Nicola Romeo & C., later diversifying into agricultural and railway manufacturing before returning to automotive production.

The Italian government assumed control of Alfa Romeo in 1921 through banking institutions, though Romeo remained managing director until 1928. He was appointed senator of the Kingdom of Italy in 1929.

Romeo died Aug. 15, 1938, in Magreglio, Italy. His legacy continues through Alfa Romeo’s emphasis on performance engineering and the integration of racing technology into production vehicles.