In the realm of automotive masterpieces, few treasures compare to this: a 2006 Ferrari 248 F1, raced to five victories and eight overall podium finishes by the legendary Michael Schumacher. A machine that not only dominated the track but also cemented Schumacher’s legendary status in Formula 1, this extraordinary car will be offered exclusively via Sotheby’s Sealed during Sotheby’s Marquee sales of Modern and Contemporary Art this November.
With victories at the San Marino, European, US, French, and German Grands Prix, as well as three additional 2nd place podium finishes at Spain, Great Britain, and Canada, this Ferrari stands amongst the winningest cars of Schumacher’s tenure with Ferrari and a vital piece of modern Formula 1 history. This particular 248 F1 holds impeccable provenance, having been purchased directly from Ferrari by its current connoisseur owner in 2007 and subsequently Ferrari Classiche Certified. It represents a rare opportunity to own one of the most historically significant Formula 1 cars in existence, a cornerstone of Schumacher’s legacy.
“In the world of motorsport, Michael Schumacher’s name is accurately used to define the pinnacle of racing—synonymous with greatness, which we often hear referenced. There are, however, cars that Schumacher drove and perhaps won a race or two in, and then there are the few cars that truly define his legacy, such as chassis 254. When we peel back the layers, very rarely does a Schumacher-era car carry as much weight as this one,” said Shelby Myers, Head of Private Sales, RM Sotheby’s. “My professional acumen involves determining what some of the world’s truly great cars are, especially those which we believe will be among the most important of all time for generations to come. There is no question that we consider the competition variants of any manufacturer the most sought-after. This has been true for every era of car collecting. As we triangulate what truly defines greatness, intrinsic characteristics such as manufacturer brand equity, astonishing aesthetic beauty, associated racing drivers, absolute rarity, significant ownership provenance, and so forth all factor into the equation. Perhaps the single most important defining characteristic among these elite competition cars is their racing record. Chassis 254 is at the very top of the pyramid. Never before has anything carrying the Schumacher name come to public sale with more wins or podium finishes. In fact, there is only one other chassis with more wins than chassis 254. In his last season with Ferrari, this car defined the legacy of perhaps the greatest driver in history, competing with one of the most storied automotive brands of all time. It truly does not get better.”
The Ferrari 248 F1 – Ferrari’s First V8 of the Modern Era
As Ferrari’s first V8-powered Formula 1 car since 1964, the 2006 season saw lots of change not only within Ferrari but across the grid as the season was marked by the introduction of V8 engine regulations. Schumacher drove chassis 254 to five victories and eight total podium finishes. This car has the distinction of being the actual chassis in which Schumacher surpassed Ayrton Senna’s pole position record; and in which he achieved both his final pole position and final Grand Prix win on his home German soil of his F1 career.
Unmatched Provenance and Opportunity
The 248 F1’s appeal extends beyond its performance on the track. It has remained part of one of the most distinguished and tasteful collections in the world having left the track after testing by then-future Ferrari World Champion Kimi Räikkönen. It retains its Ferrari Classiche Red Book Certification and comes complete with an extensive dossier containing the cars records, historical photographs, and history.
As one of the last Ferrari Formula 1 cars Schumacher drove before stepping away from the sport, this 248 F1 symbolizes the culmination of his extraordinary career with Ferrari. The car carries immense historical value as well as sentimental value for tifosi around the world, making it one of the most important pieces of Formula 1 history to ever come to auction.
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