1991 Benetton-Ford B191B
Offered by Bonhams | London, U.K. | November 30, 2014
This car might be almost 25 years old, but make no mistake: it is a modern Formula One car. Modern Era, at the very least. This was a Benetton team car for both the 1991 and 1992 seasons, years where they had Michael Schumacher, Roberto Moreno, Nelson Piquet, and Martin Brundle as their star drivers.
It was originally built as a 1991 B191 but was re-fitted in 1992 to B191B specification – as you see it now. The engine is a Ford 3.5-liter V-8 making 730 horsepower. The competition history for this chassis, B191B-06, includes:
- 1991 Hungarian Grand Prix – 22nd, DNF (with Nelson Piquet)
- 1991 Portuguese Grand Prix – 5th (with Piquet)
- 1991 Spanish Grand Prix – 11th (with Piquet)
- 1991 Japanese Grand Prix – 7th (with Piquet)
- 1991 Australian Grand Prix – 4th (with Piquet in his final F1 appearance)
- 1992 South African Grand Prix – 26th, DNF (with Martin Brundle)
- 1992 Mexican Grand Prix – 3rd (with Michael Schumacher – his first career podium)
- 1992 Brazilian Grand Prix – 3rd (with Schumacher)
After Brazil in 1992, Benetton had its B192 ready for action and the B191B was parked. This car is being offered in its 1992 Brazilian Grand Prix livery and it is fully functional. It is a historic racer – taking Schumacher to his first podium and delivering Piquet a stellar final race. It can now be yours for between $380,000-$470,000. Click here for more info and here for the rest of Bonhams’ Bond Street Sale lineup.
Update: Not sold.
Update II: Sold, Bonhams Monaco 2016, $1,200,618.