The reason why the Formula 1 driver gave up the Ferrari car that was given to him

Carlos Sainz He had to “scratch his pockets” to receive it 812 competitionAn amazing sports car with an engine V12 6.5 liter air and 830 hp. Of course, it is very likely that they gave the Spaniard a ‘good price’. But Ferrari drivers didn’t always have to Reduce your current account To take home a model of “Cavalino”.

This reflection came to my mind after learning about a case Ferrari Testarossa He just showed up. A car that had a special destiny, because it was just that gift’ Made by Ferrari itself Gerhard BergerScuderia driver 1987 to 1989 And based on 1993 to 1995 (Yes, Alonso He’s not the only driver to join the same team twice.) Or, instead of talking about a gift, let’s say it was Details set out in your contract As a pilot as a “sideline”.

He obtained it in 1989

The truth is that Austrian pilotwho finished third in the World Championship twice (1988 and 1994), received the car at the beginning of the season. 1989 Through the merchant Denzel Ferrari for Gossing (Austria). But after a year he stopped using it “He got him out of the way.”. because? It’s not that he didn’t like driving it, or that he wasn’t satisfied with its lines (it was beautiful then and still seems that way to us), but Lateral stretch marks To ventilate 5.0 liter V12 with 390 hp That drove the car to 290 km/h. At least, the Austrian never commented on this matter.

The reason he got rid of the car is because he is in… 1989 He has finally received his brand new one Ferrari F40the stratospheric super sports car Twin turbo That delivered 478 hpreceipt 324 km/h Which will only be produced eventually 1315 units. A car, by the way, that would also expire Alain Proust.

He preferred his new F40

When you as a driver find yourself in this situation, the “secret” solution so as not to appear to be rejecting the car is to forgo selling it to the buyer and reach a suitable price. Agreement with a friend To become its new owner. And that’s what Berger did 1990. It must have been an official purchase, or almost a “service,” because V.I 1991 This new owner took the car off the road and eventually sold it to an enthusiast of the Austrian brand Wimbesinger.

But bad luck befell the new owner when A Terrible fire His house was destroyed. He died in that incident His daughterBut ironically A car was saved Which has since become a carrier of bad memories. So once again the Ferrari was put up for sale and the person who bought it (an Austrian named Oliver Robert Schlachter) I only did 200 km.

Reclaim your story

As the car’s age approaches a quarter of a century, this unit has become one of the… Testarossa It began to arouse more curiosity, as its new owner (a German named… Thomas Zetty Which he got in 2014So I started presenting him and telling his story. It became the official press car of Mille Migliawent through the events in Maranello and Imolawent to Elegance competitions…

But since this was not enough, her owner took her away in July 2017 to Birmingham Airport. He just stayed there with himself Gerhard Berger Out of common interest: He convinced the former pilot curiousity To be reunited with the old Testarossa. Malik got some from that Pictures and signatures (In the engine compartment, in the trunk and on the dashboard) that sums up the history of the sports car and it is compliment Which the best collectors love so much, because Increase value From the car. Then its owner also discovered that his person was traveling in the car. Ayrton Senna During the weekend 1989 Monza Grand Prix.

34 years and 68 thousand kilometers

Of course, if we know this whole story it is because the car is now for sale 34 years and 68 thousand kilometers. They say it has been very well maintained, as it maintains its first coat of paint, is in good mechanical condition and the interior is impeccable.

What we don’t know is its price, because it is… “Rock and Roll Classics”, the Belgian buying and selling company that put it on the market, preferred to tell it only to those who were really interested. If it is from an unknown person, it can be sold for a small price 120,000 euros. Having been a Berger and with well-documented ownership of the pilot, he laid down Maybe 80 thousand euros more.

By the way Berger And it ended too Selling his brand new F40but much later, in 2020; nothing lasts forever.