What does a Formula 1 driver buy after they retire from motorsport? This week’s RM Sotheby’s London auction provides one answer.
Among the impressive array of cars on offer is a 1990 Ferrari F40. What makes this example special is that it comes from the collection of Gerhard Berger.
The Austrian driver had an illustrious Formula 1 career, and his ownership adds to the appeal of an already desirable Ferrari.
Driving for the Scuderia
Berger made his F1 debut in 1984, driving for the ATS team in a handful of races. After the end of the season, he was involved in a serious road accident that left him with a broken neck.
Making an impressive recovery, Berger was able to compete with the Arrows F1 team for 1985. However, a move to Benetton in 1986 would demonstrate what the Austrian could really do with a competitive car.
Along with out-qualifying team mate Teo Fabi during the 1986 season, Berger also took a win at the Mexican Grand Prix. That helped land him a seat with Scuderia Ferrari for 1987.
Team mates with Senna
The young Austrian spent three seasons with Ferrari, before switching to McLaren in 1990. As team mate to Ayrton Senna, he developed an infamous reputation for engaging in practical jokes with the Brazilian driver.
Berger would later return to Ferrari a second time in 1993, before ending his career with two seasons at Benetton from 1996 to 1997.
After amassing 10 Formula 1 victories and 48 podiums, Berger left the sport at the end of 1997. He then moved into management, taking a role with BMW Motorsport.
High performance, dramatic looks
Built to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary, the F40 pushed the boundaries of supercar technology at the time. Lightweight carbon fibre and Kevlar was used for the body and chassis, with power supplied by a 2.9-litre turbocharged V8 with 471hp.
A utilitarian interior added to the performance focus, with the mid-engined F40 able to hit a top speed of over 200mph. Hardcore performance and dramatic looks defined the reputation of the F40.
Sold to a Ferrari enthusiast in Singapore when new, this car later moved to Japan. It made an appearance at the Retromobile show in Paris in 2015 and 2017, then was acquired by a new owner in Germany.
Ferrari Classiche certified
Berger bought the car in May 2019, and submitted it for Ferrari Classiche Certification in December 2019. This confirmed its originality, including that the thin paintwork with visible carbon fibre weave beneath was from the factory.
The previous owner had spent some €80,000 (£72,500) on maintaining the F40. Part of this work saw the fitment of the preferred non-adjustable suspension setup. A set of new 17-inch Speedline wheels, plus a loud Le Mans Quicksilver titanium sports exhaust system, completed the makeover.
The odometer shows the F40 having covered less than 30,000 kilometres (19,000 miles) since new.
For sale with Sotheby’s
Despite having owned the F40 for less than eighteen months, Berger has opted to part with the car at the RM Sotheby’s London sale.
A pre-sale estimate of £900,000 to £1.1 million reflects the desirability of the Ferrari, and the added bonus of having been owned by a Formula 1 legend.
The online-only auction begins on Monday 26 October, and runs until Saturday 31 October. Other intriguing lots listed for the sale include a 2018 Ford GT, a RUF CTR3 Clubsport, and even a Lamborghini LM002.
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