F1 News: Police Find Stolen F1 Driver's Ferrari After 30 Years Missing

The Ferrari is now worth GBP 350,000.

After 28 years, a Ferrari road car previously owned by Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger that was reported stolen at the 1995 San Marino Grand Prix has been located by London's Metropolitan Police. In 2023, Ferrari informed the Organised Vehicle Crime Unit about a potentially stolen car, and it was traced as a buyer attempted to import it from the UK to the US.

Key Takeaways:

• London's Metropolitan Police found Gerhard Berger's stolen Ferrari F512 M, missing for 28 years, after Ferrari tipped off the Organised Vehicle Crime Unit in 2023.
• The investigation, taking four days, led to the recovery of the GBP 350,000 car, which had been stolen in 1995 and shipped to Japan before being traced in the UK.
• PC Mike Pilbeam highlighted international collaboration with authorities and Ferrari, securing the vehicle and allowing its return to Berger.

Berger had his Ferrari F512 M stolen at Imola almost three decades ago, but the police could not trace it immediately. Like any other owner, he might have perhaps, given up on the hope of finding his car someday. 

- Metropolitan Police

Fortunately, though, Ferrari passed on important information to the Organised Vehicle Crime Unit of London's Metropolitan Police last year about the arrival of a certain Ferrari into the UK, which was supposed to be flown to the USA, 

Within four days of initiating the investigation since the tip-off, the unit successfully acquired the vehicle, estimated to be worth approximately £350,000. It was then realized that the car had been shipped to Japan after being stolen but, arrived in the UK to prepare for export to the USA. 

Explaining the details of the hunt, PC Mike Pilbeam, who led the investigation, revealed:

"The stolen Ferrari – close to the value of £350,000 – was missing for more than 28 years before we managed to track it down in just four days.

“Our enquiries were painstaking and included contacting authorities from around the world. We worked quickly with partners including the National Crime Agency, as well as Ferrari and international car dealerships, and this collaboration was instrumental in understanding the vehicle’s background and stopping it from leaving the country."

Fortunately for Berger, who raced in Formula 1 for 14 seasons, including for Ferrari, will get back his prized possession with a value much appreciated.

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