2006 Ferrari 248 F1 – A Piece of Motorsport History At Auction

A Rare Gem of Ferrari's Motorsport Legacy

Throughout sports history, there have been collaborations between extraordinary athletes and successful teams that transcend their eras. Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, and Wayne Gretzky with the Edmonton Oilers are prime examples. These partnerships not only dominated their respective sports but also redefined success, creating lasting dynasties.

In the world of Formula 1, the same holds true. Figures like Jim Clark with Lotus, Jackie Stewart and Tyrrell, and Ayrton Senna with McLaren left indelible marks on the sport. Yet one partnership stands out as the most successful and enduring: Michael Schumacher and Ferrari.

2006 Ferrari 248 F1 – A Piece of Motorsport History

Estimate Available Upon Request

• One of the most successful Formula 1 cars ever raced by Michael Schumacher
• Powered by Schumacher to five Grand Prix victories in 2006, including the San Marino, European, United States, French, and German Grands Prix
• Three pole positions, three second-place finishes, and four fastest laps, all set by Schumacher in his final year with Ferrari
• The very chassis where Schumacher broke Ayrton Senna’s pole position record and claimed both his last pole and final career win on German soil
• Single private ownership since purchase directly from Ferrari in 2007
• Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified in 2008, with all matching numbers components confirmed
• An unparalleled opportunity to acquire a true icon of Formula 1, widely considered the “250 GTO” of its era
• Ferrari's entry for 2006 was the most potent F1 engine ever, revving up to 20,000 rpm, a record for the sport

A Ferrari Revival: The Schumacher-Todt Era

By the early 1990s, Ferrari had become synonymous with expensive failure. The Scuderia hadn’t won a Constructors' Championship since 1983 or a Drivers' Championship since 1979. In response, Fiat Chairman Gianni Agnelli brought in Luca di Montezemolo in 1991 to restore the team to glory. Despite a few bright spots, Ferrari struggled through the early 1990s. It wasn’t until the arrival of Jean Todt as General Manager in 1993 that things truly began to change.

With Todt at the helm and a blank check from sponsor Philip Morris, Ferrari began to assemble a dream team. Michael Schumacher, already a double World Champion, joined the team in 1996, alongside key technical minds such as Rory Byrne and Ross Brawn, who had followed from Benetton. Though immediate success wasn’t guaranteed, by 1999 Ferrari had secured their first World Constructors' Championship since 1983. Then came the golden years: from 2000 to 2004, Schumacher and Ferrari dominated Formula 1, winning five consecutive Drivers' Championships and a similar run of Constructors' titles.

However, 2005 was a setback. The team struggled with the F2005, and although Schumacher secured a single win, Ferrari's tire performance, particularly with Bridgestone rubber, was less than optimal. This led to a focused effort to develop the 2006 car under new 2.4-litre V8 engine regulations.

The 2006 Ferrari 248 F1: Schumacher’s Final Year

Ferrari’s 2006 challenger, the 248 F1, was a blend of experience and innovation. Designed by Aldo Costa, the car retained much of the F2005's dimensions but benefited from significant aerodynamic updates, including new side pods, deflectors, and a revised diffuser. The new 90-degree Type-056 V8 engine was Ferrari’s first V8 in Formula 1 since the 1964 championship-winning 158. Early in the season, it delivered around 730 horsepower, peaking at around 785 by year’s end.

Chassis 254, the car offered here, was the fifth of eight chassis produced. It debuted in testing in April 2006 with Ferrari’s long-time test driver Luca Badoer, followed by Schumacher and his teammate Felipe Massa. The car made its competitive debut at the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, where Schumacher made history by setting a new pole position record, surpassing the legendary Ayrton Senna’s 65 pole positions. Schumacher went on to win the race, securing Ferrari’s first victory of the season.

Two weeks later, at the European Grand Prix in Nürburgring, Schumacher scored a second consecutive win with a clever pit stop strategy. This would mark the start of a successful campaign, with Schumacher collecting three more wins that year: at the United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis, the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours, and the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, his final victory on home soil.

Chassis 254’s final competitive outing came at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where, despite a challenging weekend and a mid-race retirement, Schumacher earned a point, keeping his championship hopes alive.

As the season continued, Schumacher and rival Fernando Alonso fought a tense battle for the championship, with Ferrari and Renault neck-and-neck in the Constructors' Championship. Ultimately, Alonso clinched the title, but Schumacher’s 2006 season—his last with Ferrari—cemented his place as one of F1's greatest ever drivers.

The Final Chapter: Schumacher’s Retirement and the Legacy of Chassis 254

In September 2006, Schumacher announced his retirement from Formula 1, and his final appearance as a Ferrari works driver came at the Finali Mondiali event at Monza in October. A fitting farewell for a driver who had transformed Ferrari into a championship-winning force, securing five World Drivers’ Championships and six Constructors’ titles during his tenure.

Chassis 254, however, was far from finished. Following Schumacher’s departure, Kimi Räikkönen, who took over the Ferrari seat in 2007, drove chassis 254 in pre-season testing at Vallelunga. It is believed to have been the first Ferrari F1 car Räikkönen drove, setting the stage for his own championship success in 2007. After brief additional testing, 254 was placed into storage.

In 2007, chassis 254 was acquired by its current owner directly from Ferrari. Since then, it has remained in an esteemed collection and was granted Ferrari Classiche certification in 2008. In 2017, the car was even showcased at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles as part of the “Seeing Red: 70 Years of Ferrari” exhibition.

A Rare Gem of Ferrari's Motorsport Legacy

Ferrari's success in Formula 1 has been marked by two golden eras: the first in the 1950s and '60s with the likes of the 250 Testa Rossa and 250 GTO, and the second from the 1980s onwards, particularly during the Schumacher years. The Ferrari 248 F1 chassis 254 represents the pinnacle of modern Formula 1 engineering—an unmatched blend of performance, design, and history.

Of the approximately 30 Ferrari F1 chassis that have secured a victory with Michael Schumacher behind the wheel, fewer than a handful can claim five wins or more. This makes chassis 254 not only a rare treasure but one of the most significant cars in the history of Formula 1.

In terms of design, performance, and historical importance, this car is without peer. It is the epitome of Schumacher’s Ferrari era—a time of unparalleled dominance in the sport. Now, after more than a decade of private ownership, this historic machine is available for the discerning collector, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a true motorsport icon.

A Legacy of Triumph

Ferrari’s Formula 1 cars, especially those that have seen success with icons like Michael Schumacher, represent the zenith of motorsport engineering. The 2006 Ferrari 248 F1 chassis 254 is no exception. This exceptional car embodies the pinnacle of design, power, and performance—just as its era-defining driver did. Now available for acquisition, it stands as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the most dedicated collectors and motorsport enthusiasts to own a true piece of Formula 1 history.

For further details or inquiries, please contact an RM Sotheby’s Specialist.