Niki Lauda? Check. Michael Schumacher? Check. Nelson Piquet? Check. Name an iconic Formula 1 driver, and there’s a good chance that Bernie Ecclestone has one of their race cars in his massive private collection. Soon, the entire fleet will be sold. Reportedly, the cars of the former Formula 1 boss could fetch nearly three hundred and fifty million euros.
The now 94-year-old Bernie Ecclestone was the big boss of Formula 1 for almost forty years. During that period, he purchased an impressive number of historic race cars. His private collection includes Ferraris from world champions Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda, and Mike Hawthorn. In addition, the collection also includes Brabhams, driven by the likes of Nelson Piquet and Carlos Pace. In total, there are a whopping sixty-nine racing beasts, each with a unique history. The entire collection will soon be sold through the British Tom Hartley Jnr.
“I’ve been collecting these cars for over fifty years,” Bernie Ecclestone said in an official press release. “These are truly the best specimens. While many other collectors have chosen sports cars over the years, my passion has always remained with Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars. I love all my cars, but it’s time to sell them. After collecting them for so long, I would like to know where they are going. I don’t want to burden my wife with that when I’m no longer here.
‘Complete History of Formula 1’
“This is simply the most important collection of racing cars in the world,” responded Tom Hartley Jnr, owner of the eponymous car dealership responsible for the sale. “Such a collection has never been offered for sale before, and it probably never will be again. The collection encompasses seventy years of Grand Prix and Formula 1 history. For me, the Ferraris are the absolute highlight. From the Thin Wall Special to Alberto Ascari’s 375, and from Mike Hawthorn’s Dino to Michael Schumacher’s most important cars. This collection is the complete history of Formula 1 in one whole,” he concluded.
