Bernie Ecclestone's £500 million car collection to be made public after sale

Bernie Ecclestone has sold his £500 million car collection to none other than Mark Mateschitz, son of the late Dietrich Mateschitz, who owned 49% of Red Bull GmbH before his passing in 2022. According to the Austrian, the collection will be made open to the public in the future.

The car collection, amassed by the former Formula 1 chief over 50 years, was reportedly being sold through a private treaty sale instead of an auction. But Mail Online has confirmed the details of the substantial sale of the 69 cars.

These cars reflect some of the greatest history of motorsport, with the group including more Rosso Corsa than any other colour. It includes Michael Schumacher's legendary Ferrari F2002, a car reportedly valued at £10 million alone. Sat alongside this car was Niki Lauda's race-winning Brabham BT46 'fan car' designed by Gordon Murray, and a Lancia D50. It's fair to say Ecclestone has good taste. But why the sudden purge?

According to the former car salesman, his wife Fabiana sits at the centre of this choice. 

"I am 94 and with luck I might have a few years longer – who knows? But I didn’t want to leave Fabi wondering what to do with them if I was no longer around.

"I love all my cars but maybe I should have done this five years ago, but I never got around to it until now."

With the cars now in the safe hands of the Red Bull billionaire, Ecclestone is glad they're with someone who appreciates them for what they are: "History."

"These are unique vehicles. They have written sport history and marked technical milestones. They embody 70 years of F1 history," Ecclestone said.

"It means a great deal to me to know that this collection is now in the very best of hands.

"Mark is the best and most worthy owner we could ever imagine."

Mateschitz is equally as happy with his purchase, teasing that the cars will eventually be opened to the public:

"I am very pleased that Bernie has placed his trust in me to take care of this historically significant collection.

"It will be carefully preserved, expanded over the years, and in the near future it will be made accessible to the public at an appropriate location."

Piero Ferrari, Bernie Ecclestone

Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images

In 2023, Ecclestone agreed to pay over £652 million after he pleaded guilty to fraud, avoiding a 17-month custodial sentence. Now, he lives on a Brazilian coffee farm but recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of F1 at the Autosport Awards where he accepted the anniversary honouree prize. 

“I think I’ve been bloody lucky," said Ecclestone from the stage. "I think it is a case of having people supporting, if they see what you are doing is reasonably correct, they will support you - I think that is what happened.

"It is difficult to remember, everyone has been so kind and nice and helpful so I wouldn’t want to pick out a number one.

“Remember I used to leave halfway through the race when I used to have a team or otherwise as I had done my job so I left. I’ve never been on a podium in my life. I never won anything!”