PREVIEW

Bernie Ecclestone is selling his unrivalled collection of historic race cars. The sale, run by Tom Hartley Jnr Ltd, on behalf of the 94-year-old, includes 69 historic Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars - making it the most impressive collection offered for sale. Ecclestone was for decades the commercial rights holder of Formula 1, transforming it from a gentleman’s sport into a multi-billion dollar business. Each and every one of Ecclestone’s 69 cars is unique, having been stored away from the public gaze, in some cases for more than half a century. Highlights are Ferraris raced in Formula 1 Grands Prix by legendary World Champions such as Mike Hawthorn, Niki Lauda, and Michael Schumacher and Brabhams raced in Formula 1 Grands Prix by aces such as Nelson Piquet, Carlos Pace, and, again, Niki Lauda. Among them is the one-off Brabham-Alfa Romeo BT46B ‘fan car’, which raced only once, victoriously, to win the Swedish Grand Prix at Anderstorp in 1978 by more than half a minute. The racing mogul said he is parting with the cars due to his advancing years and desire to know what becomes of them before he passes away. “I love all of my cars but the time has come for me to start thinking about what will happen to them should I no longer be here, and that is why I have decided to sell them,” he explains