The world had never seen a driver like Michael
Schumacher before he hit the scene. And we may never again. But at least we can
pretend by driving one of his race cars. Or we could, if we had the money to
buy one. Coming up for auction in Monaco this May is a 1992 Benetton-Ford B192
– the very one that Schumi drove in his second season on the Formula One grid.
Replacing the B191 designed by John Barnard, the
B192 was the work of Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne. After three rounds in the
modified B191B, Schumacher entered the fourth round in Spain with this chassis,
qualifying in second place alongside Nigel Mansell and following him straight
to the finish line.
According to our research, that was the only time
this car was used, subsequently relegated to reserve role. But with the
second-place finish in Spain, six more podiums, and a race win in Belgium,
Michael finished third in the standings that season (behind Williams’ Mansell
and Riccardo Patrese). He finished fourth the next season, but followed that
with two back-to-back world championships – still at Benetton, before switching
to Ferrari for five more.
That may not leave this Ford V8-powered B192 as one
of the most important cars Schumi drove over the course of his long and unsurpassedly
accomplished career. But that means it’s likely to sell for less than his later
championship-winning cars. So if you’re hell-bent on acquiring one of the
legend’s racers, the RM Sotheby’s auction in Monte Carlo on May 12 could be
your best chance.
