Ex-Schumacher Ferrari F300 brings in big bucks in Monterey

©RMSotheby's

Michael Schumacher's 1998 race-winning Ferrari F300 left two people very happy at the end of the day at RM-Sotheby's prestigious auction at Monterey, the seller of the illustrious car and its lucky new owner.

The Scuderia's charger - specifically chassis #187 designed by a team of engineers led by Rory Byrne under the guidance of Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn – boasts an undefeated track record.

It was entered in four races in 1998 - in Canada, France, Great Britain and Italy - and won all four events with Schumacher at the wheel.

That valued statistic was likely partly responsible for producing the highest bid which came in at $6,220,000!

©TheCahierArchive

It wasn't the highest price ever paid for a modern F1 car at an auction, with that record held by another ex-Schumacher machine, the 2001 Ferrari 2001 that was sold last year for a whopping $7,504,000!

But the highlight of Saturday's RM-Sotheby's auction at Monterey was the sale of one of the most significant purpose-built Ferrari “big block” sports-racing prototypes from the 1950s.

The 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider - raced in period by, among others, Phil Hill, Carroll Shelby, Eugenio Castellotti, Masten Gregory, Richie Ginther and Jo Bonnie - went under the hammer for an eye-watering $22,005,000!

©RMSotheby's

One of the car's precious originalities, in addition to its Sergio Scaglietto designed coachwork, is its original fuel tank on which are inscribed a few words by Shelby:

"Mr. Ferrari told me that this was the best Ferrari he ever built".

Sold to you!

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.