F1 News: Iconic Michael Schumacher Ferrari F2001b Goes Up For Auction
One of the incredible Ferrari F1 cars driven by the legendary Michael Schumacher, the Ferrari F2001b, is set to be auctioned.
This particular machine is well-known for its victory at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix with the F1 icon. The upcoming Sotheby’s Sealed’s Monterey Car Week sales event on 16 - 19 August is where this piece of history will hopefully find a new home.
According to the Sotheby's website:
"Sotheby’s Sealed is proud to present a hugely significant Ferrari Formula 1 car—Michael Schumacher’s 2002 Australian Grand Prix-winning F2001b. Built to contest the first three races of the 2002 Formula 1 season, chassis 215 carried Michael Schumacher to victory in the opening race of the 2002 campaign in Australia, propelling him to the top of the Drivers’ World Championship standings and providing the foundation for a historic fifth Championship that drew him level with the great Juan Manuel Fangio.
"Two weeks later, at the 2002 Malaysian Grand Prix, chassis 215 captured the 150th pole position of Ferrari’s Formula 1 history, prior to a thrilling performance as Schumacher battled from 21st position to a spectacular 3rd-place podium position. Its public offering presents a vanishingly rare opportunity to acquire a racing car of true historic significance: one that not only carried Schumacher to a famous victory but which played a pivotal role in securing his historic fifth Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship."
The F2001b took Ferrari’s milestone 150th Formula 1 pole position and was on the podium for every grand prix it competed in.
Given the extraordinary history of this specific car, there's no telling what price it might fetch at the auction. A similar F2003 model, which Schumacher piloted to another championship victory, was sold in 2022 for over £10 million.