CharityStars – the world’s leading charity auctions website – is offering two limited edition models of Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari F2004, the car with which he claimed his seventh and final Formula 1 title. The Ferrari F2004 was not only one of the most successful, but also one of the most iconic Ferrari Formula 1 cars of all time, being the very last model that was designed by the all-conquering Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne duo, under the leadership of Jean Todt. It brought to a close Ferrari’s period of domination with Michael Schumacher, resulting in the legendary German’s seventh and final world title (which also happened to be his fifth in a row).
The car won an astonishing 15 out of 18 races in the hands of Schumacher and his team mate Rubens Barrichello: 13 of those wins were scored by Schumacher, who set what was then the record for the highest number of victories in one season.
It was domination on a scale that was rarely seen, underlining the qualities of the F2004, which was the most extreme evolution of a design concept first introduced by Brawn and Byrne in 2002.
As a tribute to this epic Formula 1 machine, and to Michael Schumacher himself, Italian bespoke model company BBR released a series of limited edition models of the F2004.
Two unique examples of these 1:43 models will be offered at auction, complete with certificate of authenticity.
The first model is of the Ferrari F2004 used by Schumacher to win the Hungarian Grand Prix from pole. It was the German’s final grand slam, with pole, race win and fastest lap, helping Ferrari to secure the constructors’ title by mid-August. In Italy, using the same car, Schumacher finished second behind Barrichello, following a spin on the opening lap. It was an emotional one-two for the Italian tifosi, and a demonstration run for Schumacher – who had already won the title in Belgium.
The Hungarian Grand Prix model is number 303 out of 500, while the Italian Grand Prix model is number 135 out of just 200 – meaning that their value will only increase as time goes on. Faithfully recreating every complex detail and aerodynamic crease of the F2004, these are true collectors’ items for any fan of the Prancing Horse.
Proceeds from the auction will go towards the Saints Foundation: a charitable initiative formed by Southampton Football Club, which carries out social projects to benefit disadvantaged young people in the Southampton area of the United Kingdom in particular. Both auctions expire on the 28 December, making these models an ideal belated Christmas gift.