Bernie Ecclestone Gives Emotional Motivation For Sale Of Extensive F1 Car Collection

At 94, Bernie Ecclestone is selling his £500 million Formula 1 car collection to ease the burden on his wife and ensure the cars find suitable homes while he is still in good health.

Sep 26, 2008; SINGAPORE; Formula one president Bernie Ecclestone on pit road during practice for the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix in Singapore. Mandatory Credit: Franz Pammer/GEPA via Imagn Images / GEPA/Imagn Images

Former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone, at the age of 94, has decided to sell his extensive and impressive collection of Formula 1 cars. The reason behind this sale is deeply personal, as he wants to spare his wife, Fabiana Ecclestone, from the burden of managing the collection after his passing.

Ecclestone's collection comprises 69 Formula 1 cars and is regarded as one of the most comprehensive collections in the racing world. Auctioneers from Tom Hartley Jnr Ltd estimate the collection to be worth over £500 million.

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Ecclestone has shared his goal of ensuring the cars find suitable homes while he is still in relatively good health. He explained during an interview with the Telegraph:

“It’s very easy.

“With a bit of luck I might get two or three more years, and I don’t want to leave all this for Fabiana to sort.

“All these car dealers would be driving her mad, so the best thing to do is to get all the cars together and try to make sure they go to proper homes.

“Ace [his youngest son, ed.] might not be interested in handling all this either. He might be more into football.

“Sooner or later, this had to happen. I’m still more or less in control, so I can do what I like. Maybe in another year I won’t be able to.”

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By placing the collection with Tom Hartley Jnr Ltd, known for their experience with high-value private sales, Ecclestone is taking steps to ensure the cars are sold through a reliable and expert channel. Hartley has described the collection as "the history of Formula 1."

Among the cars are prized models such as the Ferrari 375, which made history with Alberto Ascari’s Italian Grand Prix win, and the infamous Brabham BT46B, known as the "Fan Car," which caused a stir in its time.

Ecclestone had previously stated, as quoted by PlanetF1:

“I have been collecting these cars for more than 50 years, and I have only ever bought the best of any example,” he said. “Whilst many other collectors over the years have opted for sports cars, my passion has always been for Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars.

“A Grand Prix and in particular a Formula 1 car is far more important than any road car or other form of race car, as it is the pinnacle of the sport, and all the cars I have bought over the years have fantastic race histories and are rare works of art.

“I love all of my cars but the time has come for me to start thinking about what will happen to them should I no longer be here, and that is why I have decided to sell them. After collecting and owning them for so long, I would like to know where they have gone and not leave them for my wife to deal with should I not be around.

“Having collected what are the best and most original Formula 1 cars dating back to the start of the sport, I have now decided to move them on to new homes that will treat them as I have and look after them as precious works of art.”

For the latest F1 news, head over to F1 on SI.

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