At 94 years old, Bernie Ecclestone, the former CEO of Formula 1, is parting with his vast and iconic collection of 69 Formula 1 race cars. The collection, which spans several decades of F1 history, is being sold through high-end UK auto dealer Tom Hartley Jr. The total value of the collection is estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, with some of the cars considered crown jewels in motorsport.
Among the most prized possessions in Ecclestone’s collection are championship-winning Ferraris. These include cars driven by F1 legends such as Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda, and Mike Hawthorn. Ecclestone also owns a number of legendary Brabhams, including the BT44B, BT45C, and the fan-famed BT46B. In addition, the collection features significant racing machines from Maserati, BRM, and Vanwall, with the Vanwall VW10 standing out as it was raced by Stirling Moss to several victories and contributed to the brand’s first Constructors’ Championship in 1958.
Ecclestone decided to sell the cars as he reflected on the future and what may happen after his passing. He explained, “I love all of my cars, but the time has come for me to start thinking about what will happen to them should I no longer be here, and that is why I have decided to sell them. After collecting and owning them for so long, I would like to know where they have gone, and not leave them for my wife to deal with should I not be around.”
Ecclestone, who has an estimated net worth of $2.4 billion according to Forbes, has recently faced financial challenges, including a £652 million tax bill for failing to declare assets to the British government. The sale of these cars is being handled privately, and the final prices will not be revealed unless disclosed later. Motorsport enthusiasts hope these historic cars will make appearances in vintage races and special events, such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
