The modern era’s most important Formula 1 car. That’s how RM Sotheby’s describes the F2001 single-seater Ferrari that Michael Schumacher drove to victory in Monaco and Hungary in 2001. Wearing chassis number 211, the motorsport icon is estimated to sell for $4 million, if not more.
Made competitive by veteran Formula 1 engineer and designer Rory Byrne, the F2001 finished first on nine race weekend out of a total of 17 Grands Prix in the 2001 Formula 1 season. The dominating single-seater takes its mojo from a free-breathing V10, which displaces 3.0 liters and spins to an ear-bleeding 18,500 rpm. Throughout its lifespan, the F2001 went on to take 197 points, post three fastest laps, 13 pole positions, and a total of 10 wins.
“We are pleased to join Ferrari’s 70th anniversary celebrations by offering Michael Schumacher’s Grand Prix-winning Ferrari F2001 in November,” declared Grégoire Billault, the man who helms the RM Sotheby’s Contemporary Art evening auction in New York. “Ferrari and Schumacher are the greatest names in motor racing, with a place in the public imagination that is synonymous with the highest achievements in the field," he added.
Currently on display at the auction house’s Autumn Sales week in Hong Kong, F2001 chassis number 211 is fully operational and ready to race. For those who don’t have the facility to take care of such a high-performance machine, the Prancing Horse will gladly house the F2001 in Maranello and take it to whichever Corse Clienti track event the owner wants, mechanics and all.
Even though the 2001 Formula 1 season was a great one for Schumi, his personal best is 2004. Scoring 13 victories is an achievement that only Sebastian Vettel managed to equal in 2013 with Red Bull Racing.
When it comes to the most dominating cars in Formula 1, the McLaren MP4/4 with Honda V6 power prides itself on winning 15 of the 16 races from 1988. Over at Ferrari, the F2002 brought home 15 victories out of 19 races.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News