The Car on Which Michael Schumacher Scored His First Formula 1 Victory Is Being Auctioned
A race car linked to one of the most iconic milestones in Formula 1 history is being put up for auction. This is not a car from Michael Schumacher’s dominant years at Ferrari, nor is it the most glamorous car ever to appear in the paddock. However, this 1992 Benetton B192 possesses a much rarer distinction: it is the very car in which Schumacher scored his first Grand Prix victory. Its estimated price may now exceed €8.5 million.
Key facts about this car:
The Car’s History and First Victory
Benetton introduced the B192 model at the 1992 Spanish Grand Prix, and it immediately proved competitive. Schumacher raced this car, chassis 05, at the Canadian Grand Prix, where he qualified fifth and finished second in the race. He repeated the fifth-place qualifying result in France, although the race itself ended in disappointment with a distant 20th place.
Schumacher was again behind the wheel of chassis 05 at the Hungarian Grand Prix, but technical issues prevented him from reaching the finish. And then came the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of August. Conditions were chaotic: the track was wet, visibility low. But Schumacher saw what others missed. He gambled on a set of slicks (dry-weather tires) while the surface was still drying, and made the strategy work, snatching his debut Formula 1 victory just a year after his debut in the sport.
The Auction and the Car’s Subsequent Fate
Any Formula 1 car driven by Michael Schumacher is special, but the opportunity to own the car on which he scored his first victory undoubtedly excites many wealthy collectors. The B192 was designed by experts like Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne, equipped with a naturally aspirated Ford V8 and a six-speed manual gearbox.
After its racing career ended, B192-05 remained at Renault’s headquarters and was part of the team’s Classic Department collection until 2015.
That year it was sold to LRS Formula, which carried out a full restoration, including an engine overhaul and gearbox rebuild. In 2016, the car changed hands again, passing to its current private collector. The auction house Broad Arrow Auctions is handling the sale of this car later this month.
This news underscores how significant cars linked to key moments in a sporting legend’s career are. The multi-million euro price tag reflects not only the car’s historical value but also Michael Schumacher’s enduring legacy and the emotional weight of his first success. The sale of such an exhibit is always an event that attracts attention not only from collectors but from all motorsport fans, recalling that rainy day in Spa when a new star emerged.