EX-F1 race ace Alain Prost’s classic Ferrari F40 set to sell for MILLIONS at auction, and it comes with a surprise bonus
EX-Formula 1 race ace Alain Prost’s classic Ferrari F40 is set to sell for millions at auction – and it comes with a surprise bonus.
Even though Alain Prost never drove it, his iconic Ferrari F40 is expected to fetch £2.65 million at auction.
The iconic 1990 red supercar was gifted to the four-time world champ.
The French, retired racing driver joined the Ferrari F1 team that year and was told he could use it as a runaround when away from the circuit.
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At the time, it was worth £320,000 brand new – meaning it is tipped to sell for over eight times that price.
Singer Rod Stewart, telly star Chris Evans and bizarrely, opera singer Luciano Pavarotti also previously owned an F40.
The Italian supercar – with its iconic rectangular-shaped rear spoiler – boasts a top speed of 229mph and a 0-60mph of 3.1 seconds.
And it was the fastest road car in the world at the time.
But oddly, Prost, 68 – who won the world championship in 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1993 – never got behind the wheel.
However, he did autograph the roof, and his signature is still there, which should add even more interest for potential bidders.
It is being sold by RM Sotheby’s in an auction which finishes on 12 May in Lyon, France.
A spokesperson for the auctioneers said: “By the end of the 1989 Formula 1 World Championship, Alain Prost had become one of the most successful drivers in the sport’s history.
“With three World Championships to his name, he had joined the likes of Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, and Nelson Piquet, had become counted among the greatest drivers of all time, and his career showed no signs of slowing down.
“Despite clinching the World Championship over teammate and arch-rival Ayrton Senna, Prost would leave McLaren for Ferrari, replacing Gerhard Berger as the first driver signed for the Scuderia following the death of Enzo Ferrari.
“As the incoming lead driver for Ferrari, it was only fitting that Prost would be given a Ferrari for use away from the circuit.
“And what better car for a reigning World Champion than a brand-new F40 – the fastest road-going automobile the world had ever seen.
“The F40 offered here, chassis number 83249, was completed in late 1989 and built without catalytic converters or adjustable suspension, features that would come to mark later-production F40s.”
The spokesperson added: “In a recent conversation with RM Sotheby’s, Mr Prost confirmed that he took delivery of the Ferrari but never used it, selling it very shortly after taking delivery.
“The car was registered in France at Prost’s home in Meribel in February 1990.”
It was then owned by Ferrari nut Graham de Zille who took it to Jersey.
The RM Sotheby’s spokesperson added: “Prior to de Zille taking delivery, Mr Prost signed the roof of the car.
“Which was then covered in a thick clear coat and remains visible today.”
The Ferrari F40 has had four owners since – and still has just 2,900 miles on the clock.
There is no reserve on it, and the guide price is between £2.21million and £2.65million.
This comes after a rare Classic MK2 Ford Escort rally car is up for auction at an eye-watering price.