A Ferrari F2001b Formulation 1 race automotive pushed by Michael Schumacher throughout the German racer’s dominant time with the Scuderia can be auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s on Aug. 16, throughout Monterey Automotive Week.
The F2001b was an up to date model of the F2001 (therefore “b”), which was initially designed to contest the 2001 F1 championship. Nonetheless, its deliberate successor, the F2002, wasn’t prepared for the beginning of the 2002 season resulting from gearbox reliability. The F2001 had been profitable—Schumacher gained 9 out of 17 races in 2001—so Ferrari developed the “b” model as a placeholder till the F2002 was prepared.
Ferrari F2001b pushed by Michael Schumacher (picture by way of RM Sotheby’s)
The ensuing automotive stored the confirmed 7-speed sequential gearbox from the usual F2001, however added aerodynamic parts based mostly on deliberate upgrades for the F2002. The V-10 engine was largely the identical as effectively, but it surely integrated some upgrades from the F2002’s engine.
Schumacher drove the automotive up for public sale—chassis 215—within the first two races of the 2002 F1 season. He gained the season opening Australian Grand Prix and superior from twenty first to third within the Malaysian Grand Prix. In that race, he began within the pole place, however obtained pushed to the again after a first-lap crash.
Ferrari F2001b pushed by Michael Schumacher (picture by way of RM Sotheby’s)
Chassis 215 was additionally shipped to the Brazilian Grand Prix, however Schumacher ended up driving one of many new F2002 chasses. Ferrari then used chassis 215 for tire testing earlier than promoting it off to non-public house owners. Whereas its competitors profession was quick, chassis 215 had two podium finishes in two races and a pole place. Schumacher and Ferrari, in the meantime, went on to win the each 2001 drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
The itemizing does not embrace a pre-auction estimate, however any F1 automotive with a connection to Schumacher is a prized merchandise. One of many earlier F2001 chassis bought for $14.8 million at public sale in 2022. That automotive had an extended profession that included 5 wins, however chassis 215 ought to nonetheless carry huge cash at public sale.
