Another Michael Schumacher Ferrari Formula 1 racer is going on sale. The 2006 Ferrari 248 Formula 1 racer will be auctioned via RM Sotheby’s Sealed bids on November 19.
The auction house says it is among the most successful Schumacher machines in existence, having taken five grand prix victories and eight podiums in total. It’s the car that marked the bookend of Ferrari’s most dominant era in Formula 1 in which Schumacher fought his final campaign with Ferrari, fighting some of the toughest dog fights in his career against the hungry and youthful Fernando Alonso.
The Ferrari 248 name is in acknowledgment of the new capacity and the total number of cylinders. The formula shifted from 3.0l V10 engines to 2.4l V8s, the 2006 season also witnessing the highest rev limits in F1 history — in the Ferrari’s case more than 20,000rpm. Initially boasting about 544kW, it increased to as much as 588kW by season’s end as the engineers pushed its limits.
It’s equipped with a seven-speed longitudinal gearbox, aerodynamic improvements to the sidepods, deflectors, engine cover, diffuser and floor. The car has legendary names in Formula 1 attached to it, least of all Jean Todt as the team principal at the time. SA engineer Rory Byrne consulted on the design and development of the chassis, and Ross Brawn was technical director.
Chassis no 254 made its track debut on April 4 2006 at Italy’s Vallelunga circuit at the hands of test driver Luca Badoer, and gave Schumacher a milestone, surpassing Ayrton Senna’s long-standing record of 65 pole positions at the Imola circuit, where the great Brazilian lost his life.
The estimated value of Schumacher's Ferrari 248 Formula 1 racer is available upon request. Bidding on Schumacher's 2006 Ferrari 248 F1 takes place at rmsothebys.com.
A number of Schumacher’s former race cars and other memorabilia have been sold for multimillions recently. His 2003 championship winning Ferrari F2003-GA sold for $14.8m (R263m) and the F2001, in which he won his fourth F1 world championship, went for $7.5m (R133.4m)
A signed Ferrari racing suit worn by Michael Schumacher was sold for €86,400 (R1.7m).
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