Michael Schumacher's first Ferrari, a rare 1996 F355 GTS, is set for auction. Signed by the legend and customized to his specs, this iconic car is expected to fetch a record price.

Michael Schumacher’s old Ferrari with his signature on driving seat for sale

Michael Schumacher’s first Ferrari, a rare 1996 F355 GTS, is set for auction. Signed by the legend and customized to his specs, this iconic car is expected to fetch a record price.

The first Ferrari, owned by Michael Schumacher, is going to auction – and it has even been signed by the motorsport icon himself.

Built in 1996, the F355 GTS was the first Ferrari given to the seven-time Formula One world champion after he joined the legendary Italian team.

It was beautifully finished in Blu Le Mans with Pella Crema leather and Schumacher kept it at his Monaco home.

The car also has some personal touches as the driving legend has signed the back of the driver’s seat.

It was fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox at Schumacher’s personal request – a feature not found on other models.

The car’s service book notes it was delivered to Weber Management GmbH, the company of Schumacher’s manager Willi Weber, on 30 April 1996.

This would have been just two days after the European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring where Schumacher finished second.

Although it is not known how long it was used by Schumacher, the car went into the ownership of Pierre Valentin of Mougins, France in May 2002 and later Christopher Allen of Vallauris.

The F355 GTS was acquired by its current owner – a motoring journalist – at auction in 2004 during that year’s Monaco Historic Grand Prix where it was being sold as Schumacher’s former personal vehicle.

It currently has just 29,515 miles on the clock, as reported by Luxury Auto News.

There is no guide price on the car.

But similar models have sold for £125,000 but given the F1 ace owned this and it has his autograph it is set to go for much more.

Its listing reads: “According to the consignor during the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix he had the opportunity to approach Michael Schumacher when he was driving for Mercedes-AMG and asked him about his old F355 GTS.

“To his surprise, Schumacher instantly remembered the car when shown a photo remarking that he was happy it found a new home with a true enthusiast.

“In 2017 the car won Best of Show at Spa Italia in Belgium.

“Minichamps even made a series of 1:43 scale models of this car in a display with Michael Schumacher as the background.

“Having been driven approximately 21,000 km prior to his purchase, the car is showing just under 47,500 km from new at the time of cataloguing.

“The car was granted Ferrari Classiche certification in 2020, confirming that it retains its original chassis, gearbox and bodywork, and is finished in its original colour combination.

“The Classiche certification also confirms that the car is no longer fitted with its original engine, but one of the correct type.

“Rumour has it that the car was equipped with an up-rated engine when delivered new to Michael Schumacher, but this has yet to be proven conclusively.

“The car was fitted with the current engine prior to the consignor’s purchase in 2004.

“Throughout its current ownership, the car has always been serviced by authorized Ferrari service centres and serviced as advised at regular intervals.”