Barrett-Jackson 2014: Michael Schumacher's 1998 Ferrari F300 earns round of applause, $1.7M bid [w/video]

Sat, 18 Jan 2014

There isn't much in the world that can aurally match the screeching wail of a Formula 1 car at redline. We obviously can't say whether or not the showmanship of starting this 1998 Ferrari F300 in front of the assembled masses at Barrett-Jackson and slowly taking it up to its 18,000-rpm redline had any effect on bidders, but it did, at the very least, result in a round of applause.

This '98 Ferrari F300 was driven 38 times by Michael Schumacher, and there was another round of applause for the driver, who's currently in a medically induced coma and listed in stable condition after a skiing accident. This particular example is number three of nine total built for the '98 season. Power comes from a 3.0-liter V10 engine producing 805 horsepower at 17,500 rpm.

After it was all said and done, bidding ended at $1.7 million (plus another 10 percent in fees). Check out our live images from the auction floor above, and scroll down below for a spine-tinglingly loud auction video and to read its official description.

Car chasis no. 183. 805bhp, 2,997cc DOHC V10 engine, 7-speed button-shift transmission, independent front and rear push rod activated torsion arm suspension and 4-wheel ventilated carbon-ceramic composite disc brakes. Wheelbase: 116.25". The precursor to Ferrari's millennial F1 dominance. On January 7, 1998 Ferrari debuted a car that would change the company's racing future in Maranello, Italy. It is arguably one of the most important cars in Ferrari F1 race history. The 1998 Ferrari F300 played a crucial role in the Italian car company's return to dominance in F1 racing, setting up legendary driver Michael Schumacher to win five world championships. Driven 38 times around the world by Schumacher, this third chassis off the assembly line of nine total F300s (Chassis number 183) is widely credited as one of the most important of the principle test cars during early proving sessions. It is no coincidence that Ferrari had six consecutive winning seasons after the introduction of this car. It should be noted that Schumacher won six races and had 11 total podiums in 1998 alone. It is a rare occasion when such an important piece of racing history, a truly pivotal chapter in Ferrari's dominance in the F1 sport, is offered for sale at auction. What made this car special was its novel aerodynamic design approach which, in the years to come, would ensure Ferrari's superiority over its rivals. This chassis 183 F300 met those demands. Powering this car was the new Tipo 047, a V10 engine with opposing cylinders set at an 80-degree angle and capable of 805hp @ 17,500rpm. In 2011, it was once again invited to take part in Ferrari F1 Clienti events in Mugello in April followed by an appearance at Imola in June and then at the Ferrari Finals in November. The car is in pristine condition. It is worthy of being displayed in the Smithsonian, toured with world-class events, donated to charitable causes, kept in private collections or driven with the Ferrari F1 Clienti Program. Accompanied by its Classiche certificate and Ferrari documents showing the car was driven by Michael Schumacher 38 times, this car has been fully restored by Ferrari and is eligible for a number of historic events. As an actual verified Ferrari that has been piloted by seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher. We believe the 1998 F300 Chassis 183 was an integral part in re-establishing Scuderia Ferrari's dominance in Formula 1 racing. Michael Schumacher's five championships with Ferrari began with the time he spent driving this car.

By Jeremy Korzeniewski