Michael Schumacher's First Winning F1 Car Heads to Auction
The Benetton B192, in which Michael Schumacher secured his first-ever F1 victory in 1992, is being auctioned with an estimated value of over $8 million, marking a pivotal piece of motorsport history going under the hammer.
The very car that launched Michael Schumacher's legendary Formula 1 career, the Benetton B192 in which he claimed his maiden victory at the 1992 Belgian Grand Prix, is heading to auction. This historic machine, chassis number 5, represents the pivotal moment a 23-year-old Schumacher announced his arrival on the world stage, with an estimated sale price of around €8.5 million.
Why it matters:
This isn't just a race car; it's the genesis of a dynasty. The victory at Spa was the first of 91 Grand Prix wins and the catalyst for Schumacher's eventual seven World Championships. For collectors and fans, owning the B192 means possessing the tangible starting point of one of the most dominant careers in motorsport history, a moment that shifted the trajectory of F1 for the next decade.
The details:
- The Car: The Benetton B192 was introduced for the fourth race of the 1992 season and was an evolution of the previous year's B191.
- Power: It was powered by a 3.5-liter Ford V8 engine, producing between 660 and 680 PS.
- Dream Team: The car was designed by Rory Byrne under the technical leadership of Ross Brawn, forming the core partnership that would later dominate the sport at Ferrari.
- Season Performance: The B192 proved to be a consistent front-runner, securing a total of 11 podiums, one victory, and two fastest laps across the season with Schumacher and teammate Martin Brundle.
- Challenging the Best: As Brundle later noted, the Benetton was "comparatively simple, but extremely effective," challenging the technologically superior and dominant Williams FW14B.
Looking Ahead:
The upcoming auction by Broad Arrow Auctions is poised to be a major event for motorsport collectors. Given the car's irreplaceable historical significance as the vehicle of Schumacher's first win, the final sale price could easily surpass its €8.5 million estimate. For the winning bidder, it won't just be an acquisition of a high-value asset, but the stewardship of a monument to the beginning of the Schumacher era.