The collection of the former F1 boss sold to the Red Bull heir

Bernie Ecclestone sold his exceptional F1 collection to Mark Mateschitz for an estimated amount of 650 million euros.

Bernie Ecclestone, former iconic leader of F1, has handed over his prestigious collection of racing cars to Mark Mateschitz, heir to the Red Bull empire. The amount of the private transaction, revealed this Friday, remains confidential. These vehicles will soon be displayed to the public, a first according to Ecclestone.

Mark Mateschitz, 32, is the son of the late Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, co-founder of the Red Bull Racing team and a close friend of Ecclestone. To date, the collection includes 69 cars representing the history of F1 since 1950, with legendary models driven by icons such as Alberto Ascari, Mike Hawthorn, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, and Michael Schumacher.

Ecclestone had initially decided to auction his cars, before accepting an offer from Mark Mateschitz for the entire collection. According to estimates from the auction house, this collection is valued at around 500 million pounds sterling, which is about 650 million euros. “They are in good hands, it was a priority for me,” explained Ecclestone, 94, from his residence in Switzerland. “The cars will be displayed in a museum, finally allowing the public to admire them. I would never have sold this collection without knowing where they would end up.”

75 years of F1 heritage

Mark Mateschitz confirmed that the cars will not only be carefully preserved but also complemented by new acquisitions. Their future exhibition in an appropriate venue is already in preparation.

Currently, the vehicles are stored in a secure hangar in Biggin Hill, south of England. Among the most iconic models is the Brabham BT46B “fan car” designed by the brilliant engineer Gordon Murray, famous for its fan generating exceptional downforce. This prototype, driven by Niki Lauda, won the Swedish Grand Prix in 1978 before being banned from competitions.

The collection also includes iconic Ferraris like the 375F1, which won at Monza in 1951 with Ascari, as well as cars driven by Hawthorn and Schumacher. For Ecclestone, this sale is also a way to preserve his legacy. “After so many years, I wanted to ensure that these cars had a clear future and avoid leaving this burden to my family.”