A history-making Ferrari Formula One car raced by one of the sport’s greatest drivers has sold in Switzerland, fetching a hammer price equivalent to more than $23 million.
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The Ferrari Michael Schumacher drove to his record-breaking sixth Formula One championship in 2003 has sold for an eye-watering 14.63 million Swiss francs – equivalent to $23.18 million in Australian currency.
Listed by RM Sotheby’s, the Ferrari F2003-GA went to auction in Switzerland this week, selling for a hammer price of 14.63 million Swiss francs ($AU23.18 million) – more than double the previous record for a car driven by Michael Schumacher.
In 2017, Michael Schumacher’s Formula One title-winning Ferrari F2001 sold for $US7.504 million ($AU11.69 million today).
While the Ferrari F2003-GA moved comfortably into second spot on the list for most expensive Formula One cars sold at auction, it failed to beat the record of £17.5 million ($AU31.11 million) – set by Juan Manuel Fangio’s 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 ‘Silver Arrow’ in 2013.
This particular Ferrari F2003-GA – known as chassis 229 – is one of six built for the 2003 Formula One season, powered by a 3.0-litre V10 engine which produced approximately 685kW at 18,600rpm in qualifying trim and 630kW when racing.
The F2003-GA made its debut at the Spanish Grand Prix, with Michael Schumacher converting pole position to victory. The German followed it up with another dominating performance at the next round in Austria – taking pole position, the fastest lap and race win.
Michael Schumacher used the F2003-GA in seven of the remaining 10 rounds, notching up three more wins in Canada, Italy and the US.
Combined with his win at the San Marino Grand Prix while driving a Ferrari F2002, the six victories were enough for Michael Schumacher to beat McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen to the championship by two points.
The 2003 championship was Michael Schumacher’s sixth, eclipsing Juan Manuel Fangio’s record of five titles.
Schumacher subsequently went on to dominate the 2004 season, winning his seventh and final championship – which was matched by Lewis Hamilton in 2020.
Earlier this year, F2003-GA chassis 229 was driven by Michael Schumacher’s son Mick – current Ferrari Academy and Haas F1 Team driver – at Ferrari’s private test circuit, Fiorano.
While Ferrari’s Formula One cars of the period were typically designated ‘F’ followed by the year of competition, the ‘GA’ suffix was added to honour Gianni Agnelli – the boss of Fiat who passed away in January 2003.
Gianni Agnelli’s family continues to be involved with Ferrari – his grandson John Elkann is the current executive chairman of the Italian car-maker.
