A seminal piece of Formula One history, the Benetton B192-05 race car piloted by Michael Schumacher to his inaugural Grand Prix triumph, is poised for public acquisition. This legendary vehicle, representing a pivotal moment in both the driver's illustrious career and the sport's technological evolution, will be a highlight of Broad Arrow's forthcoming Global Icons: Europe Online auction. Enthusiasts and collectors alike will have the opportunity to bid on this automotive icon from January 23 to January 30, 2026, with expectations that its final price will exceed \u20ac8.5 million.
This particular Benetton B192-05 chassis holds immense significance, being the very machine that carried Schumacher to his first victory at the challenging Spa-Francorchamps circuit in August 1992. This win occurred exactly one year after his Formula One debut at the identical venue, marking a poetic and powerful milestone. The race itself was a test of skill and endurance, contested under severe weather conditions, with torrential rain adding to the complexity of the 44-lap event on one of Formula One's most demanding tracks.
Designed by the renowned Rory Byrne, the Benetton B192 holds a unique place in history as the final Formula One car to secure a victory utilizing a conventional H-pattern manual gearbox. Its success underscored a significant juncture for the sport, symbolizing the conclusion of an era dominated by traditional mechanics and the dawn of a new age characterized by rapid technological advancements and the emergence of a fresh cohort of driving talent. For those deeply entrenched in the world of motorsports collecting, this car is intrinsically linked to the nascent stages of a driver who would eventually redefine Formula One's historical records.
Schumacher's victory at Spa served as a launching pad for a career that would ultimately encompass an unparalleled seven world championships and 91 Grand Prix wins. At the time of his retirement, he also held record-setting totals for pole positions, podium finishes, and fastest laps, cementing his status as one of the greatest drivers in the sport's history. The B192-05 remained within the organizational lineage of the Benetton team, located in Enstone, England, for many years before its acquisition in 2015 by a specialized operator focusing on historic Formula One machinery. Comprehensive documentation verifies that the car underwent a thorough restoration, returning it to full operational status, including a complete chassis overhaul and the meticulous rebuilding of its engine and gearbox.
Having been under the ownership of its current proprietor since 2016, the Benetton B192-05 is now poised to command a formidable price at auction. Its sale is a cornerstone of a wider Global Icons auction series, which will also feature additional online sales across various regions, including the United Kingdom, and encompass a diverse range of memorabilia categories, alongside an impressive selection of high-profile collector automobiles from numerous prestigious marques. This comprehensive offering positions Schumacher's groundbreaking victory car at the forefront of a global auction event, specifically curated to appeal to discerning collectors and dedicated motorsport historians alike.