A rare 2002 Ferrari F2001b Formula 1 car driven by the legendary Michael Schumacher will be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at Monterey 2024. Expected to fetch between $8,000,000 and $10,000,000, this car is one of the few World Championship-winning Ferrari chassis, making it a highly sought-after collector’s item.
Chassis No. 215 is one of only approximately 12 Ferrari chassis with at least one win and two podium finishes by Schumacher. It achieved victory at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix and secured third place at the Malaysian Grand Prix, maintaining a 100% podium record during its competition career. Additionally, this car marked Ferrari’s 150th Formula 1 pole position at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
The 2002 season was pivotal for both Schumacher and Ferrari. Schumacher clinched his fifth World Championship after just 11 races, tying the record held by Juan Manuel Fangio since 1957. This triumph also delivered Ferrari its fourth consecutive Constructors’ World Championship. The success of the F2001b was instrumental in this achievement, highlighting its engineering brilliance.
The F2001b was an evolution of the previous season’s F2001, incorporating several innovations from the forthcoming F2002. It combined the proven Gilles Simon-designed Tipo 050 V-10 engine with a new aerodynamic package that increased downforce. Despite initial mechanical issues with the new F2002, Ferrari’s decision to delay its introduction and rely on the F2001b paid off handsomely.
Schumacher’s performance in the F2001b was nothing short of spectacular. At the season opener in Melbourne, he secured victory after a chaotic race that saw multiple competitors crash out. Two weeks later, he achieved pole position and a third-place finish at the Malaysian Grand Prix, showcasing the car’s reliability and speed.
Chassis No. 215’s competition career may have been brief, but it was undeniably impactful. After its podium finish in Malaysia, the car was used predominantly for testing, contributing to Ferrari’s continued dominance. It completed extensive testing sessions before being retired and entering private hands.
The car was acquired by a Swiss collector in 2003 and later sold to its current owner in 2011. Before hitting the track again, it will require an engine, gearbox, and clutch refresh at Maranello.
With only approximately 30 Schumacher race-winning Ferraris in existence, cars like chassis No. 215 are incredibly rare and highly prized. Their exclusivity and historical significance make them comparable to classic Ferraris such as the 250 GTO and 250 Testa Rossa. This car’s contribution to Schumacher’s fifth World Championship cements its legacy as one of the most significant competition Ferraris.
The 2002 Ferrari F2001b chassis 215 represents an unparalleled opportunity for collectors. Its victories and podium finishes, coupled with its role in a historic championship season, make it a crown jewel of modern Formula 1 cars.
THE ANNUAL RETURN TO MONTEREY CAR WEEK, WHERE EXEMPLARY, REMARKABLE, AND RARE ARE THE RULE WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS
Fewer collaborations or duos as notable as, say, Laurel and Hardy, Schumacher and Ferrari, or even Mercedes-Benz and AMG grace our paths. But one dynamic duo continues its annual return to California’s Monterey Peninsula for its 27th year: Monterey Car Week and RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction held on August 15-17.
2023’s auction brought the much-storied Lost and Found Collection, the ultimate barn find of 20 Ferraris lost to time, including the 1954 Ferrari Mondial Spider Series I by Pinin Farina, which as the second Mondial ever made, even in its stripped-down and fire-stricken condition, made waves in the automotive circles and press when it earned 1.875 million at auction.
Over the course of the 2023 Monterey Car Week, RM Sotheby’s sold five of the top 10 selling cars of the week– more than any other auction house on the peninsula. It further solidifies our commitment to bringing to market pristine and exemplary automobiles as the world’s leading auction house, during a week dedicated to showcasing the very best of the best. Find us again at the Monterey Conference Center for another year of exceptional offerings crossing the block.
AUCTION LOCATION
Monterey Conference Center
1 Portola Plaza
Monterey, CA 93940
PUBLIC PREVIEW
Admission to Public Preview is $60 per person for the weekend. Passes can be purchased onsite at the entrance to the plaza.
Admission to Public Preview is free for onsite bidders, consignors, and qualified media.
Elizabeth Puckett
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