A meaningful piece of Formula 1 history will be up for auction on January 28th, as RM Sotheby’s offers the 1997 Ferrari F310 B, chassis number 179, in Paris. Estimated to fetch between €5.5 and €7.5 million, the vehicle represents a critical link in Ferrari’s racing lineage, bridging the gap between the sport’s earlier era and the dominant years spurred by drivers like Michael Schumacher [[1]]. The auction is scheduled to take place as of January 28, 2026 [[2]],[[3]].
A piece of Formula 1 history is set to go under the hammer on January 28th. The Ferrari F310 B, chassis number 179, will be auctioned in Paris by RM Sotheby’s, with an estimated price tag between €5.5 and €7.5 million. This auction represents a major opportunity for collectors, as the car marks a pivotal moment bridging Formula 1’s analog past and Ferrari’s subsequent era of dominance, a period still celebrated today for its technical brilliance and the achievements of racing legends like Michael Schumacher.
At RM Sotheby’s Auction
Under the leadership of Jean Todt, the arrival of Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne brought a relentless focus on outperforming the competition. The F310 B, the last design born from John Barnard’s pure instinct, lived up to expectations. It was 1997, the marque’s 50th anniversary, and the Scuderia embarked on a decade-long reign. The car featured a cleaner, less rudimentary carbon fiber body, housing a roaring 3-liter V10 Tipo 046/2 engine with a 75-degree angle, capable of delivering 730 horsepower.
Few F310 B cars were ever produced, with only two built with chassis 179. This particular chassis was refined for increased agility and featured an enlarged fuel tank, crucial for the racing strategies of the time. Its debut came at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit, where Michael Schumacher initially piloted the car. However, when rain turned the Belgian Grand Prix into a memorable lottery – the first race ever started behind a safety car – he opted for a more extreme wet-weather setup. Chassis 179 was then handed to Eddie Irvine, who would later drive it at Monza, finishing eighth. A collision with Alesi’s Benetton in Austria ultimately marked the end of its Formula 1 career.
Ferrari Classiche Certification
After leaving the world of Grand Prix racing in 1999, chassis 179 found a second life, becoming part of private collections owned by wealthy German and American enthusiasts. Following an appearance at Goodwood in 2019, the car received the prestigious Ferrari Classiche certification, confirming its complete authenticity. The engine, gearbox, and chassis are all original equipment. Despite the demands of Formula 1 competition, the car remains in excellent condition and is eligible for the F1 Clienti program, allowing it to be driven on track today, providing drivers with honest feedback. While modern Formula 1 cars from the 2000s are increasingly reliant on complex electronics, the 179 demands respect with every shift of its 7-speed transverse gearbox, fully utilizing its 730 horsepower.
At the Paris auction, one lucky bidder will acquire a tangible piece of racing history, while others will be left to admire a remarkable machine linked to the legacy of Michael Schumacher. The F310 B chassis 179 represents the last connection to a bygone era of Formula 1, a time when drivers listened to their hearts as much as their minds. And it’s that very spirit that made racing so captivating.
