Bernie Ecclestone F1 car collection which is estimated to be worth over £300 million is up for sale and includes a number of historic Grand Prix cars the Ex Formula 1 chief acquired during his tenure in the sport.
This decision marks a significant transition for the 94-year-old—who has been a central figure in Formula 1 for decades—as he contemplates his legacy and the future of the iconic cars that have defined an era in racing and have been hidden from public view for years.
The Bernie Ecclestone F1 car collection consists of 69 meticulously curated vehicles featuring some of the most iconic cars in Formula 1 history, including championship-winning Ferraris driven by legends such as Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda.
Among the highlights is Schumacher’s Ferrari from the 2002 season, valued at more than £10 million. This car is complemented by other remarkable cars, such as Niki Lauda’s Ferrari and Mike Hawthorn’s 1958 championship-winning car.
Another notable highlight from Bernie Ecclestone F1 car collection is Stirling Moss’s Vanwall VW10—the first British car to win an F1 race and clinch the Constructors’ Championship in 1958.
The presence of the infamous Brabham BT46B “fan car,” which won its only race in 1978 before being banned from competition, also adds to the collection’s allure.
The decision to auction off the remarkable Bernie Ecclestone F1 car collection stems from his desire to ensure that his beloved cars find suitable new homes rather than leaving that responsibility to his wife, Fabiana.
“I have been collecting these cars for more than 50 years, and I have only ever bought the best of any example,” he said. “Whilst many other collectors over the years have opted for sports cars, my passion has always been for Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars.
“A Grand Prix and in particular a Formula 1 car is far more important than any road car or other form of race car, as it is the pinnacle of the sport, and all the cars I have bought over the years have fantastic race histories and are rare works of art.
“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’s career in motorsport began in the 1950s when he managed drivers like Jochen Rindt and Lewis-Evans. His journey took a significant turn when he purchased the Brabham F1 Team in 1971 and proceeded to secure multiple championships with drivers like Lauda and Nelson Piquet.
By the late 1970s, he had transformed Formula 1 into a commercial powerhouse through innovative television rights agreements and strategic partnerships.
As CEO of the Formula One Constructors’ Association since its inception in 1978 and later as founder and CEO of Formula One Group in 1987, Ecclestone played a crucial role in elevating the sport’s profile globally.
His efforts laid the groundwork for the massive success Formula 1 enjoys today, making him one of the most influential figures in motorsport history.
The decision to sell the extraordinary Bernie Ecclestone F1 car collection marks a poignant moment in Ecclestone’s life as he prepares for what lies ahead. The cars have been kept out of public view since their acquisition, some hidden away for over fifty years.
To facilitate this monumental sale, Ecclestone has enlisted the expertise of Tom Hartley Jnr Ltd., a UK-based performance car specialist known for handling high-end classic and historic sports cars.
“This is quite simply the most important race car collection in the world,“ Hartley said. “There has never been and probably never will be a collection like it ever offered for sale again. The Bernie Ecclestone F1 car collection spans 70 years of Grand Prix and Formula 1 racing.
“I feel very privileged that Bernie has entrusted the sale of his cars to my Tom Hartley Jnr business. Formula 1 cars are cars that I know particularly well, they are not just cars that I have a great personal interest in, but we at Tom Hartley Jnr actively buy and sell them, too.
“However, there has never been a collection like this one offered for sale, and no one in the world has a race car collection that comes close to Bernie’s.
“This is a great opportunity for a discerning collector to acquire cars that have never before been offered for sale, and it would be great to see them back on the track again.“
The timing and details surrounding the auction remain undisclosed; however, Hartley has indicated that this collection could redefine how historic cars are valued and sold in the future.
The announcement of Bernie Ecclestone F1 car collection sale follows recent legal troubles for Ecclestone, including a guilty plea related to tax fraud charges where he failed to report over £400 million in assets held in a Singapore trust.
As part of his legal resolution, he agreed to repay nearly £653 million to HM Revenue and Customs and received a suspended prison sentence. This context adds another layer to his decision to sell his car collection, as securing his financial legacy appears increasingly important.
