Godfather of Formula 1 Ecclestone to Sell World’s Largest Collection of 69 Grand Prix Cars
Former Formula One leader Bernie Ecclestone, 94, is selling off the largest collection of Grand Prix cars ever assembled. All 69 cars date back to the start of the Formula 1 championship in 1950 and include examples driven by champions Alberto Ascari, Mike Hawthorne, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet and Michael Schumacher.
The sale will be handled by Tom Hartley Jnr Ltd, one of the most respected and exclusive high-end dealers in the world of classic and historic sports and racing cars.
‘I am very proud that he has chosen my company to sell the collection. We are very passionate about Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars in particular, they are cars we know very well and to be the ones entrusted with the sale of all these incredible history-making cars is truly a privilege and incredibly exciting,’ said the dealer.
More details about the collection and the specific cars included in it will be announced soon.
In turn, explaining the reason for the sale, 94-year-old Ecclestone said: ‘I've been collecting these cars for over 50 years and I've only bought the best of the best. While many other collectors have opted for sports cars over the years, my passion has always been for Grand Prix and Formula One cars.’
The most important piece of the collection is the unique and controversial Brabham BT46B, a ‘fan car’ named after the huge fan that created downforce at the rear. It was in this car that Lauda won a race in Sweden in 1978 before it was withdrawn.
The collector plans to get ‘hundreds of millions of pounds’ for the cars.
As The Gaze previously reported, Monaco will host the first hydrogen-powered car race in 2025. The first such car was recently tested by Prince Albert II of Monaco personally.
