A Ferrari F1 engine is going up for auction with no reserve, and we should all consider placing low bids on it.

      RM Sotheby's

      One of the engines that powered Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari F300 Formula 1 car during the 1998 season is set to be auctioned in Paris on February 5. Engines like this occasionally go up for bidding, but this particular example is notable because it bears the signature of the seven-time world champion himself. This V10 is anticipated to fetch between $62,000 and $83,000, which could be viewed as either a substantial amount for an old V10 or a great deal for a high-caliber racing engine, depending on one’s perspective. However, RM Sotheby’s is offering it with no reserve, meaning it might sell for significantly less—assuming everyone agrees to offer low bids.

      The F300 engine is part of the late F1 engineer Nigel Stepney's collection, who is perhaps most recognized for his role in the “spygate” controversy that shook the 2007 season. It appears that Stepney had an impressive assortment of F1 memorabilia before his passing in 2014, which included a racing suit worn by Ayrton Senna. This engine is one of the most intriguing pieces of that collection, as it comes with several numbered components such as an exhaust manifold, crankshaft, two camshafts, and a set of numbered gears.

      The "Tipo 047 B/C" was a 3.0-liter naturally aspirated V10 from the peak era of F1 engines. According to documentation, this engine produced 700 horsepower and those F1 V10s typically revved beyond 17,000 rpm. But the most remarkable aspect was probably the sound it generated. Can you imagine fitting one of these into a road car? Forget a K-swap—just think about telling people your latest project is powered by one of Michael Schumacher’s racing engines. In reality, without specific details or the ability to examine the internals firsthand, it’s uncertain how much effort would be needed to get this engine operational again. Reassembly seems plausible, however, given the numerous parts included in the auction.

      Schumacher lost the driver’s championship in 1998, which was claimed by Mika Häkkinen, who drove for McLaren-Mercedes at the time. Nevertheless, Schumacher was the runner-up and went on to win one or more titles in his career, making this engine a coveted collector's item. It's a bit unfortunate; such exceptional engineering deserves to rev rather than spend its days behind glass.

      Realistically, this will likely be purchased by another collector who will display it in their garage filled with expensive exotic cars, or it may end up as a stand for a glass-top coffee table showcasing interior design books that are hardly ever read. As unrealistic as it may be, the idea of snagging a bargain F1 engine is undeniably appealing. If you had the opportunity, what would you install it in?

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