Anger Clarified After "Blind or Stupid" Remark Directed at Michael Schumacher

"I would have been fine if he had admitted in the interview, 'I forced him off the track.'"

Juan Pablo Montoya has expressed his frustration with Michael Schumacher following their notorious confrontation, famously labeled as the "blind or stupid" incident.

During the first lap of the 2004 San Marino Grand Prix, Schumacher from Ferrari forcefully defended his position against Montoya from the Williams team.

Schumacher ultimately took the victory, while Montoya, who finished in third place, later criticized: "You must be either blind or foolish to not notice me!"

During a recent episode of the Beyond The Grid podcast, Montoya shared his thoughts, saying, "Their pace was faster than ours. However, we had the advantage of speed and new tires."

"In order to overtake him, I needed to move immediately. He forced me off the track, but I managed to stay safe."

"I would have acted in the same way!"

"I was fine with it. If he had mentioned during the interview that he forced me off the track, I would have accepted it."

He stated, "I didn't notice him."

"While most people tend to think before they speak, I do the opposite—I speak first and then think, catching everyone around me off guard!"

"Many believed I was out of my mind, but it proved successful." Montoya voiced his frustration over the reluctance of other racers to challenge the formidable Schumacher at the height of his career with Ferrari.

Juan Pablo Montoya expressed frustration, saying that the problem with Michael was that no one challenged him in races.

"When he approached from behind, people would say, 'Oh, Michael is approaching, move aside.'"

"That really frustrates me."

The sentiment was akin to, "That's Michael, don't mess with him." He commanded a great deal of respect.

"When it came to racing, I had a really aggressive attitude. Many people considered me to be out of my mind, but that actually played to my advantage."

"When I maneuvered the car into position, they realized I wasn't going to back down. They had two options: either they make space for me, or we collide!"

"The sole occasion I spoke with Michael was during my time racing for BMW, while he was associated with Ferrari."

"Following the race, we received an invitation to attend a gathering at the Nurburgring."

"The incident involved Michael, Rubens, and myself. We ended up getting intoxicated, and that sums it up!"

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For ten years, James worked as a sports journalist at Sky Sports, reporting on a variety of events including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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Lewis Hamilton is believed to have the drive and determination needed to lead Ferrari to a championship victory in 2025.

Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert firmly believes that Lewis Hamilton has the determination to pursue a championship with Ferrari if he is provided with the necessary resources.

This week marked a historic moment for Hamilton as he made his inaugural visit to Ferrari's headquarters in Maranello.

Hamilton not only had the opportunity to meet a large number of Ferrari's team members, but he also experienced driving one of their Formula 1 cars for the first time.

On Wednesday, Hamilton took to the track at Fiorano, the team's home circuit, to drive the Formula 1 car for the 2023 season.

It was a momentous event, attended by Hamilton's parents, while Ferrari's passionate Tifosi gathered along the roads to see the seven-time world champion.

In a conversation with Casinoutanspelpaus.io, Herbert expressed his belief that Hamilton would have increased motivation, as the Ferrari setup is expected to surpass the performance he experienced with Mercedes the previous year.

According to Herbert, if Lewis Hamilton has the determination at Ferrari and a competitive car that provides the necessary speed, he is certainly capable of securing another championship victory.

"The incentive is one aspect to consider. The encouragement he'll receive from the car has certainly gotten better with fewer minor errors. I might point out that Hamilton has made more errors than usual, but I believe the circumstances at Mercedes were not conducive to his performance."

In the final races of last year, he demonstrated exceptional racing skills and was incredibly strong. Hamilton is undoubtedly eager to win the championship at this point, and it falls to Fred Vasseur to provide him with a car capable of making that possible.

The year 2025 presents a valuable chance for Ferrari to enhance their performance compared to 2024 by introducing a more competitive package. This timing could be ideal, and looking ahead to 2026, the focus remains on perfecting the car.

Hamilton is charged with the mission of breaking Ferrari's long-standing title dry spell, which has persisted since 2008.

In 2024, Ferrari nearly clinched the constructors' championship, ending the season a mere 13 points behind McLaren.

The Scuderia regretted a mid-season update that hindered their progress for the rest of the season.

A change made in Barcelona caused the porpoising issue to come back, which placed them behind Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes in the rankings.

Even though they made improvements with an upgrade at Monza, it ended up being too late because they had already fallen too far behind McLaren.

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Lewis Hamilton has received a caution regarding the dynamics with a Ferrari teammate, drawing a contrast to his time at Mercedes. "This isn't to take anything away from Lewis, but the circumstances differ – Leclerc is far from being Bottas. He's significantly faster."

Former Formula 1 team manager Peter Windsor anticipates that Lewis Hamilton will not exhibit the same level of dominance at Ferrari this season as he did during his time with Mercedes.

After a 12-year stint with Mercedes, Hamilton is set to join Maranello in 2025, marking a significant change.

The collaboration between Hamilton and Mercedes was iconic, securing six championships for drivers and eight for constructors.

Mercedes' inability to grasp the existing 'ground effect' regulations led to Hamilton feeling increasingly frustrated.

Rather than pursue other options, he chose to realize a childhood ambition by signing with Ferrari for the upcoming two years.

Hamilton is up against a significant challenge as he competes with Charles Leclerc, who is considered by many to be the quickest driver in Formula 1 when it comes to single-lap speed.

Windsor, a well-regarded Formula 1 analyst, thinks that Hamilton will struggle to achieve the same level of success at Mercedes because of the high quality of his teammate.

Peter Windsor, speaking on his YouTube channel, suggested that anyone expecting Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari to perform as he did during his dominant years at Mercedes should reconsider. He pointed out that Hamilton's success at Mercedes was partly due to having an excellent teammate who contributed to his achievements.

The statement compares two Formula 1 drivers, highlighting that although Valtteri Bottas had an excellent car, it wasn't Nico Rosberg. The speaker emphasizes that this isn't meant to diminish Lewis Hamilton's skills. However, they point out a notable difference: Charles Leclerc is significantly faster than Bottas.

Hamilton has experience dealing with challenging teammates in Formula 1.

In his inaugural year with the team, he competed directly against Fernando Alonso, who has won the F1 world championship twice.

In 2010, he teamed up with the current world champion, Jenson Button.

While he was with Mercedes, he faced off against Nico Rosberg and later George Russell, both of whom presented a significant challenge.

In 2025, the competition between Hamilton and Leclerc is expected to be just as intense.

Since beginning his Formula 1 career in 2018, Leclerc has consistently outperformed his teammates in every qualifying session.

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Lewis Hamilton has been cautioned regarding the dynamics with a Ferrari teammate, highlighting a contrast with Mercedes. "This isn't to undermine Lewis, but the scenario differs – Leclerc is not like Bottas. He's significantly faster."

Former Formula 1 team manager Peter Windsor is not anticipating that Lewis Hamilton will display the same level of dominance with Ferrari this season as he did with Mercedes.

After spending 12 years with Mercedes, Hamilton is set to make a major move to Maranello in 2025.

The collaboration between Hamilton and Mercedes was iconic, securing six drivers' championships and eight constructors' championships.

Mercedes' inability to grasp the existing 'ground effect' regulations led to Hamilton's increasing frustration.

Rather than that, he chose to realize a dream he had since he was a child by signing with Ferrari for the upcoming two years.

Hamilton is up against a significant challenge as he competes with Charles Leclerc, who is considered by many to be the quickest Formula 1 driver when it comes to one-lap speed.

F1 analyst Windsor is of the opinion that Hamilton will struggle to achieve the same level of success he had with Mercedes, largely because of the high quality of his current teammate.

In a statement on his YouTube channel, Windsor suggested that if people expect Lewis Hamilton to exhibit the same level of dominance at Ferrari as he did at Mercedes, they might be mistaken. He emphasized that Hamilton's success was partly due to having an excellent teammate who contributed to his ability to dominate.

"Instead of Nico Rosberg, it was Valtteri Bottas who had an excellent car. This doesn’t take anything away from Lewis Hamilton, but the circumstances are different—Charles Leclerc is not like Bottas. Leclerc is significantly faster."

Hamilton has a long history of dealing with challenging teammates in Formula 1. The experience of having a formidable partner on the team is not new to him.

In his debut season with the team, he competed directly against Fernando Alonso, who has won the F1 world championship twice.

In 2010, he teamed up with the current world champion, Jenson Button.

While with Mercedes, he faced tough competition from Nico Rosberg and later from George Russell.

In 2025, the competition between Hamilton and Leclerc will be just as intense.

Since beginning his Formula 1 career in 2018, Leclerc has consistently outperformed his teammates in every qualifying session.

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Toto Wolff cautions Mercedes about the upcoming 2026 F1 regulation changes, stating there's "no place to conceal." He emphasizes that excellence is required in every aspect of their work and that having a strong engine by itself is not sufficient for success.

Toto Wolff acknowledged that Mercedes will be fully exposed when the new Formula 1 regulations take effect in 2026.

Significant modifications to the technical rules, especially concerning the power unit, are expected in 2026.

Starting in 2026, F1 engines will incorporate more electric elements due to the compulsory adoption of sustainable fuels.

Christian Horner, the head of Red Bull, has called these alterations the most significant ever in the history of the sport.

Consequently, the competitive landscape is likely to shift, placing more focus on engine-related aspects.

In 2014, Mercedes became well-known for mastering the introduction of the new engine regulations.

The power unit developed by Mercedes stood out as the best in the competition, leading to their dominance in the sport.

Ferrari didn't manage to close the gap until 2018, although their methods were questionable, as evidenced by the FIA's decision to implement changes at the end of 2019 to restrict the team.

The narrative for 2026 might unfold in a similar way, but Wolff remains cautious about one aspect as they approach the upcoming year.

In an interview with AMuS, Wolff mentioned, "I’m not feeling uneasy. It’s an incredibly fascinating challenge."

"It's essential to perform your duties to the best of your abilities in every aspect. Simply having a powerful engine won't take us far."

"McLaren will also possess that capability. Therefore, our challenge is to surpass them with our chassis. We cannot avoid this responsibility."

Mercedes Optimistic Looking Towards 2026

Although Wolff has expressed worries about the challenge from McLaren, the overall sentiment within Mercedes remains upbeat.

James Allison, the technical director, mentioned that the current atmosphere is "comparable" to what it was like in 2014.

During an interview with Sky Sports at Imola last year, he mentioned, "I wasn't part of the team leading up to 2014 when the new wave of power units was being developed and there was a significant effort to bring them to fruition."

"However, according to team members who were there, they describe the sensation as being quite comparable."

There is a significant push within Mercedes High Performance Powertrains to ensure its success, as it will shape the future for those fortunate enough to have it powering their vehicles in upcoming seasons.

"We are fortunate to benefit from the positive investments they are making for both of us."

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Uncertainty surrounds Lewis Hamilton's potential debut with Ferrari in Australia

"Historically, Ferrari has performed strongly in Australia…"

A significant uncertainty looms over Lewis Hamilton's first race with Ferrari in Australia.

The 2025 Formula 1 season is set to begin in Melbourne from March 14 to 16.

This event marks Hamilton's debut race with Ferrari at a track he historically enjoys.

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"It's intriguing to kick off the season in Australia," commented Lewis Larkam from Crash on the Crash F1 podcast.

Historically, Ferrari has performed admirably in Australia.

Reflecting on past seasons when it kicked off the racing calendar, there was a time when Sebastian Vettel spearheaded the excitement, sparking the buzz that 'Ferrari has returned!'

"Clearly, it didn't turn out that way in the end."

"This year, it's once more a reality."

Lewis Hamilton boasts an impressive track record in Australia. The circuit is among his best, and he holds the highest number of pole positions at this venue.

Uncertainty surrounds Lewis Hamilton's future

The seven-time Formula 1 champion has seven potential opportunities as he begins with Ferrari. Will this be the chance for Lewis Hamilton to secure his eighth title? 👀🤔 pic.twitter.com/Npw2RuQv1u— Crash.net – Formula 1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) January 20, 2025

"It's thrilling to begin the season and observe how this partnership will perform," stated Lewis Larkam.

"The most significant uncertainty is how quickly Hamilton will adapt."

Observing how much time it will require for him to get used to the vehicle.

"There is consistently a procedure involved. However, historically, this track has been favorable for both Ferrari and him, at least on paper."

"From the very beginning, they might be competitive. Last season, they had a quick car and were in the running for pole positions and wins. I see no reason why that wouldn't happen again."

This week, Hamilton began his journey at Maranello.

He underwent a seat fitting, spent time using the simulator, got acquainted with his new engineering team, and experienced driving a Ferrari F1 car for the first time.

His latest journey will intensify as Formula 1 arrives in Bahrain next month for the official testing sessions.

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Michael Schumacher's environment was described as unfriendly, with little communication between people. The saying went, "If you're looking for friends, bring your own, as this is not the place to forge new friendships."

Juan Pablo Montoya, a former rival of Michael Schumacher, described Schumacher's most successful period as being "hostile".

Montoya has drawn a comparison between the tense interactions among Formula 1 drivers during the 1990s and 2000s and the more amicable environment seen today.

The friendly relationship among the current generation faced a challenge last season when Max Verstappen stirred up tensions with Lando Norris and George Russell.

In an interview on the Beyond The Grid podcast, Montoya mentioned that teammates nowadays, thanks to social media, have become very close friends. They dine together and enjoy playing padel as a group.

"Back in my time, we didn't really converse with others much. I chatted with Fernando Alonso, and I continue to do so, as well as Rubens Barrichello. Occasionally, I also talk to Felipe Massa, but that's about the extent of it."

Tense Environment in F1 Paddock

Montoya described the scene as extremely unfriendly, noting that people were not communicating with one another.

Chip Ganassi once made a memorable remark. I had shown kindness to an opponent during a race, choosing not to be overly aggressive. Ganassi told me, "If you want friends, bring them with you, because this isn't the place to make friends."

"Indeed, that's correct."

These days, people are chatting and being friendly with each other.

"Being kind makes it challenging to act like a jerk. It's tough to intentionally force someone off the track when you have a good relationship with them."

"If it's the person you dined with yesterday evening, it's more challenging to dismiss them. The situation isn't as ruthless."

"These days, the regulations aren't as strict. Back in my era, it was possible to force other drivers off the track!"

Montoya famously had conflicts with Schumacher, who was dominant during that period.

Colombian racer Montoya achieved victory in seven Formula One grand prix events and competed for the teams Williams and McLaren.

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Toto Wolff acknowledges the Formula 1 budget cap challenges following a crash-heavy 2024 season. "Towards the year's end, we were unable to implement certain aerodynamic and mechanical enhancements due to a lack of funds needed to manufacture those specific components…"

Toto Wolff disclosed that Mercedes nearly exceeded Formula 1's budget limit due to a series of crashes towards the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Towards the end of the 2024 season, Mercedes faced challenges as three significant accidents led to a shortage of replacement parts.

Kimi Antonelli's accident at Monza, along with two crashes involving George Russell later in the season, has placed Mercedes in a challenging situation.

After crashing during practice on Friday, Russell had no choice but to use a floor designed for Miami while competing in Mexico.

The situation not only affected Mercedes' performance during races but also put them in a challenging financial situation.

Wolff stated that it would greatly affect how they allocate their finances for the year.

"Extremely tight. Accumulating a substantial reserve of eggs isn't an option," Wolff explained to AMuS. "What typically happens is that you exceed your limits early in the year and then have to begin conserving."

As the year concluded, we were unable to implement certain enhancements in aerodynamics and mechanics due to a lack of funds for manufacturing the necessary components.

"The mishaps that occur towards the end of the season can cause significant issues. Kimi Antonelli had an incident in Monza, while George Russell faced problems in Austin and Mexico. There was a moment when we were left with just a single set of a specific wing type."

"In Mexico, returning to the previous aerodynamic setup wasn't possible due to a lack of spare parts. The budget restrictions left no funds for new components."

Mercedes faces a fresh era as they enter 2025 with Lewis Hamilton no longer driving for them.

Eighteen-year-old prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to join the team for his Formula 1 debut, partnering with Russell.

Mercedes has faced challenges in adapting to Formula 1's existing rules during the "ground effect era".

Even though Mercedes secured four victories last year, they lagged significantly behind the top three teams in the rankings.

Mercedes has struggled with maintaining a steady performance, frequently baffled by the fluctuations in how well they perform.

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Max Verstappen is anxiously anticipating whether Red Bull can bounce back without Adrian Newey. “Will the team members influenced by Newey be able to fix the issues with Red Bull? If not, I doubt he’ll be able to keep up with the McLarens or Ferraris.”

Max Verstappen is considered the top contender for the championship if Red Bull can overcome last season's challenges, even in the absence of Adrian Newey's guidance.

In 2024, Verstappen secured his fourth straight F1 drivers' championship, but the journey was anything but smooth.

In the first 10 races, Verstappen claimed victory in seven, but then managed to secure only two additional wins in the following 14 competitions.

Red Bull fell behind McLaren and later Ferrari, dropping in ranking and depending on Verstappen's exceptional talent, especially evident in Brazil, to secure the championship, ultimately at the cost of Lando Norris.

In an interview with Sky Sports News, Brundle expressed his belief that Verstappen is the clear favorite in the title race. He noted that this is especially true because the McLaren and Ferrari drivers could end up splitting points among themselves.

Brundle mentioned that the crucial aspect is whether Red Bull has managed to get their car back in shape.

If Red Bull manages to get their car back in top condition and Verstappen is performing well, he will remain the favorite for the championship. This is because Piastri might take points away from Norris, and Hamilton and Leclerc could end up taking points from one another.

Influence of Adrian Newey

Red Bull faces the challenge of reclaiming their top position in Formula 1 performance, now without the expertise of their brilliant designer, Newey.

Midway through last year, it was revealed that Newey would be leaving the team, allowing him to move to Aston Martin.

Christian Horner, the head of Red Bull, has assured that the team possesses a robust foundation to manage even if Newey leaves.

Newey's exit occurred at the same time as Red Bull's decline in performance.

Brundle acknowledged that the controversies outside the racing circuit involving Red Bull did cause the team to lose focus. However, the most significant hurdle in 2025 will be improving performance without Newey's involvement.

He mentioned, "I believe it was a distraction." He continued by praising Max for maintaining his focus amidst the events that unfolded during the first part of last year. His bigger worry, however, was that the car's performance declined while McLaren and Ferrari made strides forward.

"He'll be anxiously anticipating the outcome of whether they've managed to recover it. Adrian Newey essentially departed from the team halfway through last season. Will those who have taken over from Newey be able to fix the issues with Red Bull? If they're unable to do so, I doubt he'll be able to keep up with the McLarens or Ferraris."

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Fernando Alonso identifies his top quality as a Formula 1 racer. At 43, the Aston Martin driver maintains this crucial characteristic.

Fernando Alonso has identified his main talent as a Formula 1 racer.

At 43 years old, Alonso once again holds the title of the oldest competitor on the Formula 1 grid as the 2025 season prepares to commence.

He continues to chase after his hard-to-capture 33rd grand prix win, with his last victory dating back to 2013. Despite this lengthy period without a win, he is still considered one of the most skilled drivers in the field.

In an interview with DAZN, Alonso evaluated his own abilities, highlighting his strengths in starting races, excelling under pressure, and maximizing the performance of any car, regardless of its quality.

"There is constantly potential for enhancement, as vehicles are continuously developing."

"The experience of driving in the 2000s was different from the V8 engines of the 2010s, and it has changed again with today's turbo engines."

Fernando Alonso talks about his essential qualities. Alonso went on to say, "When I ventured into different formats like endurance racing, the Dakar Rally, and the Indianapolis 500, I realized I lacked the insights about my competitors. It was thrilling to start fresh and acquire new driving skills."

"Despite having driven for nearly four decades, there are certainly still many lessons for me to absorb."

Pedro de la Rose shared his thoughts on what sets Alonso apart.

"Power… is something truly remarkable," de la Rosa remarked.

"His skill in using the brakes to adjust the car's performance during turns is what sets him apart."

"Is there a flaw? I haven't discovered it yet, but I'm still on the hunt and will continue searching."

Fernando constantly pushes you to slip up.

"When he surpasses his opponent and errs, he moves to page 2 during the counteroffensive."

Fernando Alonso is set to join teammate Lance Stroll at Aston Martin for his third consecutive season.

In the initial races of 2023, he was close to achieving a long-anticipated grand prix win, but the performance of his Aston Martin declined last year.

Adrian Newey is beginning his role with the Formula 1 team this year, and he has the potential to impact the design of their car for 2026, when there will be major changes

This development adds more fascination to the later stages of Alonso's career, during which he has secured two F1 world championships.

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Italian outlets express astonishment over a particular element of Lewis Hamilton's initial trial with Ferrari. Reports from Italy highlight early reactions to Hamilton's first appearance in a Ferrari Formula 1 car.

Italian news outlets have revealed their initial thoughts on Lewis Hamilton's first Formula 1 testing session with Ferrari.

On Wednesday, the seven-time world champion had the opportunity to drive one of the Scuderia's legendary red F1 vehicles for the first time, completing 30 laps on Ferrari's Fiorano test track despite the cold and damp weather conditions.

Lewis Hamilton's session in a 2023 Ferrari wasn't focused on showcasing speed. Instead, it served as a chance for him to familiarize himself with the team's operational methods and start building a rapport with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami.

Italian news outlets were taken aback by Lewis Hamilton's trial run with Ferrari. Sky Italy correspondent Vicky Piria provided insights into the reaction within Italy regarding Hamilton's initial week with the Ferrari team.

"Everyone is thrilled, and it genuinely caught us off guard, including those of us at Sky Italy," Piria expressed to Sky Sports News reporter Craig Slater.

"Individuals have been present since 5 a.m., holding their spots and maintaining a lively, festive atmosphere. It's been like a celebration, with everyone eagerly anticipating the start of the season."

"I believe that the strong finish to the season with Ferrari raised expectations, but it has been followed by a significant period of anticipation."

"The announcement was made on February 1st of the previous year, meaning the Tifosi had to endure a lengthy wait before it finally came to fruition."

During his early laps, Hamilton was observed committing minor mistakes as he found it challenging to handle the low-grip conditions.

According to Piria, who is a racing driver as well, this indicates that Hamilton was beginning to try different things with the car in order to learn more about its capabilities.

"Despite the chilly, wet, and damp conditions, Lewis experimented with various approaches," she said.

"We observed him experimenting with the E-Diff and adjusting the brake balance, which led to some wheel locking. He wasn't merely completing installation laps; he was actively testing various elements."

He isn't forcing it but is experimenting instead. This is about him finding his rhythm and grasping the various aspects, like the steering wheel settings and their functions. While they study everything on the simulator, translating those sensations to the actual track is a different experience.

"It's actually progress for him since the Australian event is approaching soon."

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Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. By being on-site, Lewis provides detailed accounts of the key figures and happenings in the racing world.

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Michael Schumacher's previous blue Ferrari F355 is up for auction. Next month, a Ferrari F355 that used to belong to Schumacher will be available for bidding.

Interested in buying the Ferrari F355 that once belonged to Formula 1 icon Michael Schumacher?

Indeed, you may have the opportunity, as the Ferrari F355 belonging to the seven-time Formula 1 world champion is set to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s from February 4 to February 7.

The 1996 F355 GTS is thought to be the initial Ferrari that the renowned Formula 1 driver used as his own sports car after becoming part of the Italian team. Schumacher drove it in Monaco until the end of 1997.

The Ferrari features a Bel Le Mans exterior and a Pella Crema leather interior, equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. Cavalleri Monaco Motors has provided a letter verifying that they performed maintenance on the vehicle for Schumacher.

Check out this Instagram post from Car Throttle (@carthrottle).

The year prior to when the F355 became available with the 'F1' style semi-automatic paddleshift transmission.

The vehicle is equipped with a 3.5-liter V8 engine that produces 375 horsepower. This engine features 40 valves and can rev up to 8,500 revolutions per minute. The car has been driven for approximately 29,500 miles.

Since it was owned by Ferrari's most legendary driver, it is likely to attract significant attention at the auction.

The consignor, who worked as a motoring journalist covering Formula 1 at the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix, recounted an encounter with Michael Schumacher, then part of the Mercedes-AMG team. During their conversation, he inquired about Schumacher's former F355 GTS. Schumacher immediately recognized the car from a photograph and expressed his pleasure that it had been purchased by someone who truly appreciated it, according to RM Sotheby’s notes.

Eager to make the most of his newly acquired F355 GTS, he drove it directly from Monaco to his home in Belgium after buying it. Since then, he's frequently taken it out for pleasure drives and to attend car events throughout Belgium.

The current owner has seen this item highlighted in three separate magazine articles: one in the November 2006 edition of Forza magazine, another in the March 2013 issue of the German publication Ferrari World, and a third in the June 2021 edition of Auto Trends Classic magazine, which was available in both Dutch and French.

Back in 2017, the vehicle took home the Best of Show award at Spa Italia in Belgium. Minichamps created a line of 1:43 scale replicas of this car, featuring a display that included Michael Schumacher in the background. Before it was purchased, the car had already covered around 21,000 kilometers, and at the time of being cataloged, its odometer displayed nearly 47,500 kilometers since it was new.

In 2020, this vehicle received Ferrari Classiche certification, verifying that it still possesses its original chassis, gearbox, and bodywork, and maintains its original color scheme. Although the certification indicates that the car’s current engine is not the original, it is of the appropriate type. There is speculation that when the car was initially delivered to Michael Schumacher, it had an enhanced engine, though this claim remains unverified. The existing engine was installed before the current owner acquired the car in 2004.

During the period it has been owned by its current owner, the car has consistently been maintained by official Ferrari service centers, following the recommended service intervals. There are many service invoices available from this time, along with documents from Monaco Motors from the years 2002 and 2004, before the consignor took ownership.

In September 2024, F.M.A Ferrari completed the most recent significant maintenance on the F355 GTS. This service involved installing a new windshield, replacing the rear brake pads, timing belts, and spark plugs, fitting a new battery, and refurbishing the dashboard.

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Lewis frequently travels to various Grands Prix events globally for Crash.net. He often provides on-the-ground coverage, sharing the narratives of key figures in the sport.

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