Michael Schumacher’s 2001 Monaco Grand Prix winning Ferrari to return to the principality

The final Ferrari F1 car to win Monaco in a Championship-winning year goes up for auction with RM Sotheby’s

It’s that time of year again. Where the biggest names in motorsport and A-list stars descend to the Principality for the world famous Monaco Grand Prix.

It is probably still regarded as the most prestigious event in the motorsport calendar, although fans of the Indy500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans may dispute that fact. In terms of race itself, the last few decades have provided forgettable ones to say the least, with the increase in Formula 1 car sizes leading to increased difficulty in overtaking, making the event somewhat of a procession.

However, its prestige cannot be denied, and this is an event that can trace its heritage back to its first race in 1929.

The Monaco Grand Prix itself serves as the focal point for an extended period of events on the Côte d’Azur, now including a dedicated Formula E race, yacht parties, and auctions, as well as events taking place along the coast at the Cannes Film Festival.

The Crown Jewel Monaco auction

While the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton do battle for pole position against McLaren and Red Bull on Saturday, a Monaco Grand Prix-winning Ferrari of days gone by will return to the scene of its victory. The 2001 Ferrari F2001, driven by Michael Schumacher as he secured a fourth World Championship title, will be the subject of RM Sotheby’s ‘Crown Jewel’ auction. It still remains the final Ferrari F1 car to win at Monaco in a championship-winning year.

Powered by Ferrari’s V10 engine capable of 17,000 rpm, chassis 211 also secured victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix a fortnight later, and along with expertise from Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne, it more than played its part as the Scuderia went on to win the 2001 Constructors’ Championship. Many may consider this racer to be the crown jewel of Schumacher’s career fleet, and there could be no more fitting place for it to be auctioned than the crown jewel of motorsport races. It is the first time a sale has been conducted during a Grand Prix weekend in the Principality.

Before being made available for auction, the F2001 was overhauled by the Prancing Horse in 2024 and 2025 to full running and driving condition.

How the 2001 Monaco Grand Prix played out

Schumacher started the race in second place after finishing 0.201s behind David Coulthard in Saturday qualifying. The German’s qualifying was marred by a collision with Arrows driver Enrique Bernoldi, causing him to collide with the barriers at Portier. Rear suspension damage meant that a change of car was needed for Sunday’s race, with chassis 211 stepping in despite its only track time being a shakedown at Fiorano and warm up at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The cars began the race’s formation lap in Monaco with vigour, however, disaster struck for pole-sitter Coulthard. He remained stationary due to his onboard systems detecting unusual conditions and subsequently shutting down the engine, while his fellow competitors weaved their way around him. The Scot was only able to join up at the back of the grid, leaving Schumacher with a clear view of the track ahead.

Starting on the outside line of the first straight, Schumacher was able to cement first place into Sainte Devote ahead of two-time champion Mika Häkkinen, with Barrichello just behind him. By the end of the first lap, he’d opened up a 1.2s advantage and gained another four tenths as Häkkinen was preoccupied with holding off Barrichello in third.

The Finn responded to Schumacher’s early speed by setting the fastest lap on the eighth, cutting the gap at the top from 2s to 1.5s. He followed this with another fastest lap on lap 12, before dramatically dropping more than 7s and giving up his position to Barrichello. Another slow lap left him seeking a pit stop, with Häkkinen later explaining: “I didn’t hit a barrier or anything. [The car] was just pulling very heavily on the right. When it was doing that, it was too risky to continue… an extremely unusual problem”.

Coulthard’s early troubles continued throughout the race, and by lap 25, Schumacher was poised to lap the Scot. Swinging off line at the Nouvelle Chicane exit eventually allowed Schumacher to pass by.

It was cruise control for Schumacher from that moment onwards, as he went on to set a number of lap records before the end of the race. His skill around the circuit at the Principality eventually extended his lead over teammate Rubens Barrichello to 18 seconds, before slowing down on the final of 78 laps for a Ferrari 1-2 finish in front of the world’s cameras. It was the German driver’s fifth victory in Monaco, tying him with Graham Hill and leaving him just one win adrift of Senna’s record of six.

“I was asked why I didn’t jump on the podium,” Schumacher said. “Honestly, I don’t feel that emotional because it has been a very straightforward win.”

“The best car we’ve produced since I’ve been at Maranello”

The F2001 was instrumental in Schumacher winning his fourth World Championship title, as he drew level with Alain Prost. The title was his second in a row, making him the first Ferrari driver to achieve back to back championships since Alberto Ascari in 1952 and 1953.

When reflecting on the Ferrari at the end of the 2001 season, Brawn stated: “The F2001 is, I believe, the best car we’ve produced since I’ve been at Maranello.”

With the car recently restored to full running condition, the new owner of Schumacher’s Crown Jewel is in for a treat.

The 2001 Ferrari F2001 at Maranello

words: Mike Booth
pictures: RM Sotheby’s