Schumacher-Era Ferrari F310 B Expected to Fetch Millions at Paris Auction

A piece of Formula 1 history is heading to the auction block, as a 1997 Ferrari F310 B driven by Michael Schumacher is set to go under the hammer in Paris. Listed by RM Sotheby's, the iconic chassis is expected to command a price tag between €5.5 million and €7.5 million when bidding opens on January 28, highlighting the enduring value of the Scuderia's legacy.

Why it matters:

The sale underscores the skyrocketing value of historic Formula 1 machinery, particularly cars associated with Michael Schumacher's tenure at Ferrari. As the market for F1 memorabilia matures, collectors are willing to pay a premium for vehicles with provenance from the sport's modern legends, making this sale a bellwether for the valuation of late-1990s F1 cars.

The details:

• Spa-Francorchamps: The car was briefly used by Schumacher during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix. However, he switched chassis for the race itself, meaning this specific car did not start that event.
• Eddie Irvine's Run: The chassis saw more action with teammate Eddie Irvine. At the Italian Grand Prix, the Northern Irishman qualified sixth and finished eighth. The following week in Austria, he again qualified sixth but was forced to retire due to a collision with Jean Alesi.
• Later Season: The chassis served as a spare (T-car) for the German and Japanese Grand Prix but remained on the sidelines for the remainder of the year.
• Post-Racing Life: Ferrari sold the car in 1999. Since then, it has been driven sparingly, most notably at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it ran in celebration of Schumacher's 50th birthday.

Looking Ahead:

The auction is scheduled for later this month in Paris. Given the prestige of the chassis and the continued strength of the collector car market, the final gavel price is likely to reflect the high end of the estimate, solidifying the status of Schumacher's Ferraris as blue-chip assets in the motorsport world.