The Formula One car that powered racing legend Michael Schumacher to his very first Grand Prix victory is poised to create history at an auction later this month. The iconic Benetton B192-05 is expected to command a staggering price of more than $7.38 million (approximately Rs 61 crore) when it goes under the hammer, attracting intense interest from global collectors.
The Car That Launched A Legend
Schumacher's breakthrough win came at the 1992 Belgian Grand Prix, held at the challenging Spa-Francorchamps circuit. In a display of sheer skill that hinted at his future dominance, the young German driver mastered treacherous, rain-soaked conditions to secure his maiden Formula One victory. This pivotal moment in August 1992 is widely regarded as the true beginning of Schumacher's meteoric rise in the sport.
From that day in Spa, Schumacher's career soared to unprecedented heights. He went on to secure a record-equalling seven World Drivers' Championship titles and amassed 91 Grand Prix victories, benchmarks that stood unchallenged for over a decade. His success with Benetton and later with Ferrari transformed him into a global sporting icon.
More Than Just A Car: A Piece of F1 History
The auction for this historic vehicle, named 'Global Icons: Europe Online', is scheduled to open on January 23. Experts state that the car's immense value stems not only from its association with Schumacher's first win but also from its significant place in the technical evolution of Formula One.
Yves Boitel of Broad Arrow Auctions elaborated on the car's dual legacy. He emphasised that the Benetton B192-05 is one of the most celebrated machines in F1 history. It heralded the start of one of the greatest careers the sport has ever witnessed. Furthermore, it represents the end of an era as the last F1 car to win a race using a manual gearbox, marking a final chapter before paddle-shift systems took over at the pinnacle of motorsport.
A Legacy Beyond The Track
The auction serves as a powerful reminder of Schumacher's extraordinary legacy, which was tragically interrupted. In December 2013, over a year after his retirement from F1 in 2012, Schumacher suffered a severe skiing accident in the French Alps. Despite wearing a helmet, he sustained a traumatic brain injury after hitting his head on a rock.
He was airlifted to Grenoble Hospital, where he underwent two surgeries and was placed in a medically induced coma. Schumacher was brought out of the coma in June 2014 and has since continued his rehabilitation privately at his home in Switzerland. He has not made a public appearance since the accident, with his health condition closely guarded by his family.
The upcoming sale of the Benetton B192-05 transcends a mere transaction for a high-value collectible. It is a celebration of the precise moment a champion was born, a tribute to engineering history, and a poignant reflection on the remarkable career of Michael Schumacher.
