Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is selling a £300million car collection

Bernie Ecclestone is selling his entire collection of Formula 1 cars, expected to be worth more than £300 million, to the sport’s former superstar.

Ecclestone, 94, raced in Formula One for four decades and his collection of 69 cars – spanning 70 years of Grand Prix racing – is considered the largest collection of racing machines in the world.

The Ferrari that led Michael Schumacher’s team to the third of five consecutive world championships leads the collection.

British driver Stirling Moss’ 1958 Vanwall – and his compatriot Mike Hawthorn’s title-winning Ferrari from the same season – have been made available to buyers.

Cars from multiple world champions Ayrton Senna, Alberto Ascari, Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet will also be featured in the sale, which will be hosted by exclusive high-end car dealer Tom Hartley Jnr. is looked after.

Ecclestone, married to Fabiana, 48, explained the decision to give up his collection: “I love all my cars, but it’s time for me to think about what will happen to them when I’m no longer here.” That’s why I decided to sell it.

“After collecting and owning them for so long, I would like to know where they have gone and not leave them to my wife to take care of in case I am not there.”

Ecclestone, who was ousted by American F1 owner Liberty Media in 2017, added: “I have been collecting these cars for more than 50 years and have only ever bought the best example.”

“While many other collectors have chosen sports cars over the years, my passion has always been Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars.

“A Grand Prix car and especially a Formula 1 car is far more important than any road car or other racing car as it is the pinnacle of the sport and all the cars I have bought over the years have a fantastic racing history rare works of art.

“Having collected the best and most original Formula 1 cars from the early days of the sport, I have now decided to take them to a new home where I will treat and care for them in the same way as valuable works of art. ”