The car that seven-time Driver’s World Champion Michael Schumacher piloted to five victories in the 2006 Grand Prix season is up for grabs.
One of the oldest and most recognisable teams on the Formula One grid, on-track success hasn’t always come easy for Ferrari. An outfit steeped in tradition and unparalleled pride, while most racing drivers dream of one day joining the Scuderia, the pressure to succeed once those famous red overalls are zipped up is immense.
Few drivers in the modern era have embraced this challenge more than Michael Schumacher. Having signed with a then-struggling Italian outfit in 1996 – and on the back of successive driver’s titles with Benneton – the German quickly set about making his mark on the team.
Narrowly missing out on the driver’s title in both 1997 and 1998, while missing much of the 1999 season through injury, Schumacher, together with team boss Jean Todt, chief designer, South African Rory Byrne, and technical director Ross Brawn, would go on to win five consecutive world championships between 2000 and 2004.
The influence of Rory Byrne would once more prove instrumental once a new set of championship regulations came into play from the 2006 season. Now powered by a 90-degree V8 engine with a 7-speed automatic transmission, the Ferrari 248 F1 car introduced significant aerodynamic upgrades compared with the F2005 from the previous season. Of the eight cars built for the 2006 season, Schumacher clearly felt particularly comfortable behind the wheel of chassis no.254.
Having secured pole position in the opening race of the season in Bahrain, only to finish in second place, the German held off Fernando Alonso to secure the Scuderia’s maiden victory of the year at the fourth race, hosted in San Marino. This driver and car combination would repeat this feat two weeks later at the European Grand Prix, hosted at the Nürburgring in Germany.
Following a sequence of three second-placed finishes in the Spanish, British, and Canadian Grands Prix, chassis no.254 next appeared in pole position at the United States race at Indianapolis. A near-perfect weekend for the Scuderia saw Schumacher leading his teammate Felipe Massa across the finish line.
Another strong performance and victory at the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours in mid-July was followed by Schumacher’s final Grand Prix win on home soil at Hockenheim on 30 July.
Of the 91 wins Schumacher secured throughout his illustrious career, he won more behind the wheel of chassis no.254 than in any other Ferrari.
Set to be auctioned via sealed bid on 14 November 2024, the most successful Michael Schumacher-raced Ferrari of all time has been owned by one collector since it was retired in 2007.
Ian McLaren has more than 20 years of experience as a motoring journalist. Here, he will be compiling a series of articles documenting his learning curve when it comes to all things auction. Find him on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at @IanMcLaren76.
These articles aim to offer insights only and in no way encourage reckless or hit-and-miss purchasing decisions.