Michael Schumacher's used 1991 F1 helmet set for auction with hefty estimate

Michael Schumacher's used 1991 race helmet, by Shoei, is set to hit the auction block at the Bonhams auction in Miami during the Grand Prix weekend. Set to be sold on May 3, the helmet is expected to reach a staggering sum between $30,000 and $50,000. 

The helmet is thought to have been used by the Formula 1 icon during his early career racing karts, possibly for DTM. The sponsor stickers, which were applied at a later date, were added as a nod to his first Benetton F1 season helmet.

The helmet has been carefully preserved. It comes with the original karting visor and authentic chips and marks from its competition days.

The German driver began karting at the age of four, and he was just six years old when he won his first club championship. His karting success continued into his teens when he secured the prestigious Karting European Championship in 1987.

1991 marked the year Schumacher made his F1 debut. He began the year competing in various different racing disciplines, including the German Touring Car Championship with DTM. However, by August, he was preparing to step into the cockpit in the Belgian Grand Prix at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit with Jordan. He qualified in seventh, but retired from the race due to clutch failure. 

This didn't stop Schumacher turning heads in the paddock, however, as Flavio Briatore, now the executive advisor for the Alpine F1 team, snapped up the German driver and signed him for Benetton in the next race.

Schumacher's journey after his F1 debut is well-known. Over the years, he became one of the most successful drivers of all time and is regarded as a legend of the sport. And rightly so. He claimed his first F1 victory at the 1992 Belgian Grand Prix and celebrated his first two drivers' championship titles in 1994 and 1995 with Benetton. 

Michael Schumacher's 1991 used helmet, by Shoei.

Photo by: Bonhams Auction

1996 saw Schumacher make the historic move to the Ferrari F1 team. During his time with the Maranello squad, which ended with him heading into his first retirement in 2006, the driver claimed five consecutive drivers' championships.

After four years out of the racing seat, Schumacher returned with Mercedes, where he drove from 2010 to 2012 before retiring for the second time as Lewis Hamilton took his spot at the Brackley outfit.

Previous race-worn Schumacher memorabilia has fetched eye-watering prices in previous auctions. Last year, during the same Miami Grand Prix auction, another helmet worn by the seven-time champion saw the hammer strike after a winning bid of $114,800.