Formula 1 executive Bernie Ecclestone is selling his 69-piece Grand Prix car collection.
Ecclestone, who ran Formula 1 from 1987 to 2017, is widely credited with helping grow the sport into the multi-billion dollar behemoth it is today.
His collection includes a Ferrari 375 raced by Alberto Ascari to win the 1951 Italian Grand Prix, an F2002 raced by Michael Schumacher and a Vanwall VW10 raced in the Constructors’ Championship’s first year.
Additionally, Niki Lauda’s 1978 Swedish Grand Prix-winning Brabham BT46, which famously surfaced for the first time in 2001, is among the highlights of the collection.
“I have been collecting these cars for more than 50 years, and I have only ever bought the best of any example,” Ecclestone said in a statement. “I love all of my cars, but the time has come for me to start thinking about what will happen to them should I no longer be here, and that is why I have decided to sell them.
"After collecting and owning them for so long, I would like to know where they have gone, and not leave them for my wife to deal with should I not be around.”
Tom Hartley, who has been tasked with selling the “Ecclestone Grand Prix Collection,” says it is the most valuable Grand Prix and Formula 1 car collection in the world.
“[T]here has never been a collection like this one offered for sale, and no one in the world has a race car collection that comes close to Bernie’s,” Hartley said in a statement.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.