formula 1

The Schumacher Collection

Michael Schumacher is an icon of Formula 1. His illustrious career is one of legend and the name, Schumacher, will always be thought of when talking about motor racing. If you are old enough to have seen him race, there’s no denying that Michael Schumacher was a phenomenon that will be a challenge to ever follow.

From a young German racer to a competitive force of nature and dominating presence through the highest level of racing, Schumacher drove for some of the biggest teams such as Benetton, Mercedes-Benz, and, probably most famously – Ferrari.

Fans of the iconic driver will be able to get their hands on some truly extraordinary artefacts from his astonishing career. The items have been assembled over a 30-year period in a private Japanese collection and will open for bidding through RM Sothebys between 16th August and 6th September 2023.

Highlights From Full Throttle – The Schumacher Collection

1994 Michael Schumacher Bell Benetton Formula 1 helmetย – This is the helmet Michael Schumacher wore while racing for Benetton during the 1994 Formula 1 season. This was the season that Michael won his first world championship where he took eight races and six pole positions. A Bell Certificate of Authenticity confirms the helmet is a very special find and a fantastic addition to someone’s collection Estimate: $40,000 – $60,000 (approx ยฃ31,500 – ยฃ47,000).


1989 Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost Signed Formula 1 Moet Champagne Bottleย – Believed to have been signed by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost at some point during the 1989 Formula 1 season, this is a very special champagne bottle! Estimate: $5,000 – $10,000 (approx ยฃ4,000 – ยฃ8,000).


2002 Michael Schumacher Schuberth Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Helmet– During Schumacher’s championship-winning 2002 season, he wore this helmet in the Japanese and Hungarian Grand Prix events. In Japan, he took pole position, set the fastest lap, and won the race. In Hungary, he qualified in second, set the fastest lap, and went on to finish second. The helmet has been certified by Jens Munser Designs as an authentic example. Estimate: $20,000 – $25,000 (approx ยฃ16,000 – ยฃ20,000).

2003 Michael Schumacher Scuderia Ferrari OMP Formula 1 Signed Racing Suitย – Another incredible item from another championship-winning year. Schumacher wore the racing suit on 14th September 2003 at the Italian Grand Prix where he took pole position and the race win. Estimate: $12,000 – $15,000 (approx ยฃ9,500 – ยฃ12,000)


2001 Michael Schumacher Schuberth Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Helmetย – Another championship-winning item. This time from the 2001 season when Schumacher wore this helmet on 22nd January 2001 at the Australian, Malaysian, and Brazilian Grand Prix events. Certified as an authentic example by Jens Munser and signed on the visor by Michael himself. Estimate $20,000 – $25,000 (approx ยฃ16,000 – ยฃ20,000)

Top 10 Lots From RM Sothebys

  1. 1991 Michael Schumacher Replica Arai Jordan-Ford Formula 1 Helmetย $40,000 – $60,000 (approx ยฃ31,500 – ยฃ47,000)
  2. 1994 Michael Schumacher Bell Benetton Formula 1 Helmetย $40,000 – $60,000 (approx ยฃ31,500 – ยฃ47,000)
  3. 2001 Michael Schumacher Schuberth Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Helmetย $40,000 – $60,000 (approx ยฃ31,500 – ยฃ47,000)
  4. 1990 Michael Schumacher Arai West WTS Racing German Formula 3 Helmetย $30,000 – $50,000 (approx ยฃ23,000 – ยฃ39,500)
  5. 1991 Michael Schumacher Shoei Benetton Formula 1 Helmetย $30,000 – $40,000 (approx ยฃ23,000 – ยฃ32,000)
  6. 1993 Michael Schumacher Bell Benetton Formula 1 Helmetย $30,000 – $40,000 (approx ยฃ23,000 – ยฃ32,000)
  7. 1993 Michael Schumacher Bell Benetton Formula 1 Helmetย $30,000 – $40,000 (approx ยฃ23,000 – ยฃ32,000)
  8. 1995 Michael Schumacher Bell Benetton Formula 1 Helmetย $30,000 – $40,000 (approx ยฃ23,000 – ยฃ32,000)
  9. 2003 Michael Schumacher Schuberth Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Helmetย $30,000 – $40,000 (approx ยฃ23,000 – ยฃ32,000)
  10. 2004 Michael Schumacher Schuberth Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Helmetย $30,000 – $40,000 (approx ยฃ23,000 – ยฃ32,000)

Fernando Alonsoโ€™s Ferrari Enzo Up For Auction

On the 8th of June, Monaco Car Auctions will host their inaugural Lโ€™AstaRossa sale, held in partnership with Top Marques Monaco, at the Grimaldi Forum. This will be a Ferrari-exclusive auction and will include more than 40 very special vehicles. The headline consignment is a beautiful Ferrari Enzo that is currently part of the private collection of two-time Formula 1 world champion, Fernando Alonso.

The iconic Enzo is widely thought of as the hypercar that defined the Ferrari breed. From its bold design, impressive performance, and stunning engine note, it made a big impact in the automotive world. This particular Enzo has a carbon fibre and Nomex honeycomb monocoque chassis and a 6-litre V12. When you add this to the fact that only 399 were made and this is โ€œScocca n.1โ€ (first body), the estimated price tag of โ‚ฌ5 million (around ยฃ4.3 million) is steep, but somewhat expected.

Although not much is known about Alonso’s ownership of the Rosso Corsa (red) Enzo, the car has covered just under 3000 miles and has been certified by Ferrariโ€™s Classiche division.


There are other, even rarer, Ferraris available in the June 8th auction including a one-of-one Felber Ferrari 365 GTC/4 โ€˜Beach Carโ€™ by Michelotti, a 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Boano, and a unique 2017 Ferrari 488 GTB which has been modified for use by Lapland Ice Driving.

Monaco Grand Prix 2023

Bridge Classic Cars Director, Gordon, has been spending some time in France lately in order to attend the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix.

Our good friend, Jack, was also at the event; between them, they shared some incredible photos and videos of the race.

The Monaco Grand Prix is considered one of the most challenging of the racing calendar. The iconic street circuit includes narrow lanes, sharp turns, and unforgiving barriers that can make a seemingly small error have potentially catastrophic consequences.

From Gordon making his arrival by sea to the impressive view that Jack had, the weekend looked to be a fantastic experience for all in attendance.

Remembering Murray Walker: The Defining Voice Of Formula 1

Motorsport legend Murray Walker has died aged 97. Best known for his iconic voice and commentating, Murray became synonymous with Formula 1. Murray is best remembered for his endearing and characterful commentating, leading to colloquialisms and mistakes soon referred to as Murray-isms. One of his most famous lines came about when announcing the Damon Hill became the F1 Champion in 1996; “”I’ve got to stop now, because I’ve got a lump in my throat”.

Damon Hill said in an interview after Murray’s death: “He could emote the events that happened in our sport. The shocking moments and the dramatic moments all have Murray’s reaction to them and he made those events stick in your mind forever. And he allowed himself not to be the know-it-all commentator, but the fan who, at times, got over-excited.”

Murray was passionate about all things with wheels and a motor, from bikes and cars. Although his career started in advertising, he soon brought his ear for catchy slogans to F1 in 1978.

“The iconic voice of our sport and a great man, thank you for all you did, you will never be forgotten,” said Lewis Hamilton.

In a touching video by Formula One, they describe Murray as part of the F1 family, for racers and fans, “It was never work to Murray, it was never just commentating, it was simply telling the world about something he loved. And for that, the world loved Murray too.”

You can read more about Murray Walker here. You can also see his life in pictures here.

According to Eurosport, here at the top Murray-isms:

“Unless I am very much mistaken…. I AM very much mistaken!”

“Mansell is slowing down, taking it easy. Oh no he isn’t IT’S A LAP RECORD.”

“This is an interesting circuit, because it has inclines. And not just up, but down as well.”

“The lead car is absolutely unique, except for the one behind it which is identical.”

“The most important part of the car is the nut that holds the wheel.”

“I know it’s an old cliche, but you can cut the atmosphere with a cricket stump.”

“Tambay’s hopes, which were nil before, are absolutely zero now.”

“And there’s no damage to the car. Except to the car itself.”

“That’s the first time he had started from the front row in a Grand Prix, having done so in Canada earlier this year.”

“Here in Malaysia, it doesn’t rain here by the bucketful, it rains by the ocean.”

“How you can crash into a wall without it being there in the first place is beyond me!”

“Excuse me while I interrupt myself”

“And the first five places are filled by five different cars.”

“And Damon Hill is following Damon Hill.”

“Michael Schumacher is leading Michael Schumacher.”

“Jean Alesi is 4th and 5th.”

“Villeneuve is now twelve seconds ahead of Villeneuve.”

“Frentzen is taking, er, reducing that gap between himself and Frentzen.”

“This has been a great season for Nelson Piquet, as he is now known, and always has been.”

“It’s lap 26 of 58, which unless I’m very much mistaken is half way.”

“I’m ready to stop my start watch.”

“Only a few more laps to go and then the action will begin. Unless this is the action, which it is!”

“I can’t imagine what kind of problem Senna has. I imagine it must be some sort of grip problem.”

“He’s obviously gone in for a pit stop. I say obviously, because I cannot see anything.”

“And the first three cars are all Escorts, which isn’t surprising as this is an all Escort race.”

“He is exactly 10 seconds ahead, or more approximately, 9.86 seconds.”

“Look up there! That’s the sky!”

“There’s nothing wrong with his car except that it’s on fire.”

“I don’t want to tempt fate but Damon Hill is now only half a lap from his first Grand Prix win andโ€ฆ and HE’S SLOWING DOWN, DAMON HILL IS SLOWING DOWNโ€ฆ HE’S… HE’S STOPPED!”

“As you look at the first four, the significant thing is that Alboreto is fifth.”

“He’s the only man on the track, except for his car.”

“You might think that’s not cricket, and it’s not. It’s motor racing.”

“And Michael Schumacher is actually in a very good position. He is in last place.”

“One light, two lights, three lights, four laps, five lights, go, go, go!”

“That’s history. I say history because it happened in the past.”

“There are a lot of IFs in Formula One, in fact IF is Formula One backwards!”

“Anything happens in Grand Prix racing, and it usually does.”

Resurrecting Classic Race Car Driving

Nestled in the centre of France, just a few miles from Clermont-Ferrand is a newly founded school of classic race car training: The Classic Racing Group.

Julien Chaffard, a young French engineer and enthusiast has set up the world’s first full-service curriculum school for open-wheel racing. The company consists of only 6 employees with all of them under the age of 30. The light and young energy reflects Julien’s laid back, easy to like aura. The courses allow engineers and enthusiasts to get involved and learn how to drive these classic machines.

The school hosts its classes in the nearby legendary Circuit de Charade which was the home to the 1965 and 1972 Formula One championships and has a history with Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark, and Jochen Rindt gracing its circuit with their victories. Close to the home of Michelin, the stunning track has been carved from the mountains and features dramatic elevation changes. Sir Stirling Moss, former F1 racing driver claimed, โ€œI donโ€™t know a more wonderful track than Charade.โ€

Their classes run through the summer, starting in spring and concluding in autumn. Within these courses, individuals learn how to drive and handle exact replicas of the much revered Formula Fords that were manufactured by the Crosslรฉ Car Company, which won the European Championship in 1969. These replicas have been made by Crosslรฉ itself which still stands as the UK’s oldest racing manufacturers. As well as these classes, participants are also welcomed into the Classic Racing school’s club house that’s decorated by timeless memorabilia and a luxury bar.

The school offer three types of programmes to racing enthusiasts; an ad-hoc styled track Day for those want a chance to sit behind the wheel of a classic single-seater, a Racing School for the more dedicated students who can join get involved in several events during the year, or a Competition Experience.

With the art and trade of classic race car driving, and in tern engineering, slowly dying out, the only way to resurrect it, is to involve the next generations. With much of the engineering found in these classic motors spurring the ground breaking mechanics of the cars we see on tracks today, the best way to advance the industry is to get involved in its past.

If you fancy your chance at becoming a classic race car driver, or are an enthusiast, we’ve got just the car for you! Our 1972 Original Chevron B20 72-2 is up for sale and is thought to be one of just a few in existence. You can view the car for sale here and take a look at our blogs about it here.

You can see the full interview with Petrolicious here as well as their stunning photos;

https://petrolicious.com/articles/this-is-how-a-few-20-somethings-are-creating-a-new-school-of-classic-racing

Check out the racing school’s website here:

https://www.classicracinggroup.com/en/home/