The Formula 1 cars of Michael Schumacher and Jean Alesi were sold for €1.3m and €3.66m respectively.
Both cars were sold at an auction in Paris. Schumacher’s Jordan 191 is not just the car in which the seven-times world champion drove – it was the first Formula 1 car he ever drove. In 1991, the German replaced Bertrand Gachot, who had been jailed for spraying in the face of a cab driver the year before.
Schumacher had never competed in a Formula 1 grand prix before, but managed to qualify seventh, beating teammate Andrea De Cesaris. The race itself was less successful, with him losing the race on the first lap due to technical problems, but it paved the way for the future champion to enter Formula 1.
The Jordan 191 was sold just 18 months ago, but earlier this year it was revealed that the car would return to auction.
Despite the historic value of the Jordan 191, the most expensive car at the auction was a Ferrari 643, which went under the hammer for 3.66 million euros. The car was driven by French racer Jean Alesi in 1991 and he only managed to win one Formula 1 grand prix during his career.
The Ferrari 643 was introduced mid-season and was not a car capable of winning the championship. Alesi’s teammate, four-time champion Alain Prost was even fired before the last race of the season because he publicly stated that driving this car was the same as driving a truck.
