An F1 race car driver is a career that demands an incredible level of physical and mental fitness which many of us don’t have. Thankfully, getting behind the wheel of an actual Formula 1 car isn’t an impossible dream. Well, not impossible if you have the money to drop.
If you got the dough, you can even own a Formula 1 race car once driven by big names like Nelson Piquet and Michael Schumacher, such as the 1991 Benetton B191 Formula 1 Race Car.
This particular car, designated chassis number B-191-02, was a significant car as it was the last car driven by F1 legend Nelson Piquet before announcing his retirement.
The 1991 Benetton B191 Formula 1 Car may not be as significant as, say, the 1997 Ferrari F310 B F1 race car for Schumacher, but it was the ride that then young rookie Schumacher demonstrated his potential. I guess you could say it was one of the race cars that started it all.
The race car is a fascinating overlap between two race car drivers, a then legend and a then-would-be legend. Both of whom would eventually become the icons of the sport.
Anywho, the B-191-02 was retired to a museum until 2016 when it was overhauled. Since the overhaul of the engine and the gearbox, it has been driven for just an hour.
It is presented in its original specification, with the exception of updated safety features to conform to current FIA historic racing guidelines. That said, this car was restored with future historic racing use in mind. However, a minor mechanical refreshing would be advised before the car is used on the track again, according to the listing on RM Sotheby’s.
Anyways, in addition to it having two legends as it is piloted previously, the 730 HP 3.5L Ford HB V8 powered 1991 Benetton B191 Formula 1 Car is amongst the last manual-transmission equipped Formula 1 cars. So, it is a pretty significant race car for collectors who don’t hit the tracks too.
Now for the good news. The 1991 Benetton B191 Formula 1 Car is up for grab from RM Sotheby’s with Price Upon Request. You can learn more in-depth about the history of this F1 race car HERE.
P.S. We noticed a discrepancy in the listing. It was noted as Chassis number B-191-01 but in the description, it was described as having a B-191-02.
Images: RM Sotheby’s.