Michael Schumacher’s Benetton B192 fetched millions at auction, but fell short of the auctioneers’ expectations.
The Benetton B192, the car in which Michael Schumacher celebrated his first Formula 1 victory, has changed hands at auction. At Broad Arrow Auctions, the race car fetched a sale price of €5,082,000.
However, the sum fell short of expectations: the car was originally listed with an estimated value of up to €8.5 million.
In the 1992 season, Schumacher laid the foundation for his unprecedented career in this car. Alongside teammate Martin Brundle, the young German secured his first victory in the premier class at the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps. The model, designed by Rory Byrne, was driven by Schumacher in a total of five Grands Prix.
In a video, the auction house describes the car as “the decisive spark that ignited a legend. In a world ruled by Senna, Mansell, and Prost, a Teutonic upstart arrived, defined by precision, discipline, and an unshakeable sense of direction,” the description reads.
“At the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, notorious for its inclement weather, this car led him to his first decisive triumph in 1992. Driver and car came together that day to begin a legendary journey, a prelude to the dominance that was to follow.”
“Time passes, champions come and go, but that first step on the road to seven titles remains. Legends remain.“
Schumacher said after his first triumph: ”I really can’t describe it, I mean, it’s something crazy.”
Details about Michael Schumacher’s Benetton B192
– Drive: Ford 3.5-liter V8 engine with an output of approx. 660 to 680 hp
– Special feature: Last Formula 1 car produced by Benetton with manual transmission
– Track record: A total of eleven podium finishes, one victory, and two fastest laps