Schumacher's 2001 Monaco-winning Ferrari for sale
On May 24, RM Sotheby's is selling one of the most iconic single-seaters from the German champion's supremacy in the early 2000s.
The F2001 chassis 211, which RM Sotheby's is auctioning on May 24 in Monaco, the day before the Grand Prix, is a unique model in the genealogy of Maranello single-seaters. Driving this car, the three-time German world champion Michael Schumacher won the 2001 Monaco Grand Prix in May, as well as the Hungarian Grand Prix, earning him the title for the fourth time at the end of August. With his victory in Hungary, the German driver equaled the record for victories previously held by Alain Prost. That year, Schumacher won nine Grands Prix: Australia, Malaysia, Spain, Monaco, Europe, France, Hungary, Belgium, and Japan. In 2001, it was the second time in his career that the German champion won the Monaco Grand Prix in a Ferrari.
First to set off as soon as the lights went out, Schumacher didn't just control the race. Perhaps to keep boredom at bay, the Ferrari driver set a string of lap records, even allowing himself the luxury of lapping David Coulthard. Schumacher was clearly in a state of grace that day. Technical director Ross Brawn even allowed himself a reminder, urging him to stay focused.
As the race drew to a close, he had to slow down, allowing his teammate Rubens Barrichello to close to within three seconds before entering the final sector on the harbor. He eventually crossed the finish line 0.431 seconds ahead of the Brazilian. A group finish that further reinforced Ferrari's dominance and delighted the photographers.
No estimate has been released for this illustrious Ferrari single-seater, but it seems likely that the F2001 chassis 211, which won in Monaco and Hungary, will fetch more than €2 million. In 2014, a 2000 ex-Schumacher Ferrari sold for $1.8 million. Powered by the Ferrari V10, the single-seater up for sale in Monaco represents the pinnacle of the Schumacher-Ferrari duo's dominant years in F1.
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