Formula 1 together with RM Sotheby’s have announced early entries for the auction at the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2019 on 30 November - including Michael Schumacher’s championship-winning 2002 Ferrari F2002.

The auction will take place on the Saturday evening of the race weekend from the first floor of the Formula 1 Paddock Club overlooking the pit lane and the main straight. Fans and registered bidders will be able to view the cars up for auction over the Grand Prix weekend. The cars will then be paraded down the start/finish straight, and driven along the circuit’s pit lane before auction. The lots for sale will be open for bidding from registered auction attendees, as well as online and telephone bidders.

For their first major car auction in the Middle East, RM Sotheby’s will provide a significant number of highly-curated cars and memorabilia for sale. In keeping with the premium nature of the sale the first headline lots to be announced are the aforementioned ex-Schumacher Ferrari F2002, alongside a beautifully restored, low-mileage, 1990 Ferrari F40 signed by four-time world champion and current Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel.

The Ferrari F2002, chassis no. 219, was a pivotal piece of machinery in the 2002 season. Schumacher drove the car in three out of his 11 victories of that year: Imola, Zeltweg and Magny-Cours, the last of which would secure the German his fifth world drivers’ championship. With six races left in the season, it remains the shortest time in which a world drivers’ title has ever been won.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the F2002 will be donated to Michael Schumacher’s Keep Fighting, Never Give Up Foundation. The not for profit foundation was established by Schumacher’s family to unite everybody inspired by Michael Schumacher to believe they should keep fighting and never give up. Additional information on Keep Fighting, Never Give Up’s efforts and activities is available at keepfighting.ms

Kate Beavan, Director of Hospitality and Experiences at F1 said:

“We are very excited to announce Michael Schumacher’s 2002 Championship winning Ferrari as the star lot to be auctioned off at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Together with the Ferrari F40 signed by World Champion Sebastian Vettel, our first ever auction hosted with RM Sotheby’s is already shaping up to be a spectacular occasion. Fans, Paddock Club guests, and bidders will have an incredible opportunity to get up close with these iconic cars and share in the excitement as they are auctioned off. We are proud to be able support Michael Schumacher’s Keep Fighting Foundation with proceeds from the sale.”

Oliver Camelin, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s, said:

“We are delighted to come out of the gate for our inaugural auction in partnership with Formula 1 with such an amazing cornerstone consignment to the Abu Dhabi event. The Michael Schumacher F2002, chassis no. 219, is truly special; it represents one of the last Rory Byrne-designed, V10 era cars and was like a guided missile in acquiring wins on route to a Championship won with sheer racing dominance. As a result, it remains as one of the most dominant Formula 1 racing cars in history and is fittingly joined by the ultimate in Ferrari supercars in the virtually as-new Ferrari F40. As we proceed with considering consignments for the Abu Dhabi auction we look forward to an exciting year in partnership with Formula 1 that will include an RM Sotheby’s presence at some of the most notable circuits around the world.”