A legendary Ferrari once driven by Michael Schumacher during the 1997 Formula One campaign is currently in the hands of 80-year-old motorsport enthusiast Erich Zech. Michael Schumacher, widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history with a record seven World Championships, had a turbulent 1997 season, which ended in disqualification after a controversial clash with Jacques Villeneuve.
Despite being stripped of his runner-up position in the Drivers’ Championship, Michael Schumacher retained his five race wins that year, including a victory at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix behind the wheel of the Ferrari 310B. Erich Zech, the current owner of this iconic car, has lovingly restored it and recently brought it back to life at a motorsport event in the Netherlands. Speaking to Autosport after the event, Erich Zech expressed his passion for the legendary vehicle and his admiration for the motorsport icon:
“It was phenomenal. What I loved the most and what touched me was the reaction of the fans. They stood up and applauded, which was great to witness. What I love most is being able to show this car to the people again. My main goal is to make the experience as close as possible to what it was back in the day with Schumacher.” – he explained.
Erich Zech went all out during his drive in the Ferrari, even donning a precise replica of the helmet Michael Schumacher wore while racing the iconic car. However, one major difference stood out—while the legendary Ferrari driver was in his late twenties during his time behind the wheel, Michael Zech is now 80 years old!
Age doesn’t seem to be a concern for Michael Zech, who confidently remarked: “But that’s special, isn’t it? Driving such a car is a challenge, but I still feel incredibly fit. I had to get the official [racing] licence to drive it and, for that, I had to pass a health check. It was also a surprise to me that I am still so fit. I started in that car and in May I drove Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari for the first time. Last year, we already presented the 310B here in Assen, but it wasn’t moving back then.” – he pointed out, as reported by the British media.
“Many data appeared to have been erased. Ingo Gerstl has great contacts in Italy and thanks to him the car could run in his own workshop for the first time in March. That was a phenomenal moment for all of us. This is the only historic Ferrari that is running without ‘F1 clienti’ support from Maranello.”
It’s a heartwarming story of a devoted Ferrari fan, but the way Erich Zech came to own this valuable piece of racing history is rather unusual. Reflecting on the purchase, Erich Zech remembered:
“My response was that I was interested in something like that as well, but not in a car without an engine…He knew about a Ferrari collection in Europe, a collection of which the owner had died. All those cars would go to Sotheby’s to be auctioned. He remembered that there was a Michael Schumacher F1 car among them, although I said ‘A Michael Schumacher F1 car? I can’t buy that because it’s way too expensive’. Anyway, he would gather information, check whether the car was sellable at all and what the costs might be. Four weeks later, he called me again, reported that it was indeed a 1997 Schumacher F1 car and said he could arrange the deal for me. I asked what the car should cost and if he could send me a picture. Based on that photo, so without seeing the car in real life, I bought it. Three days later, Schumacher’s car was in my garage…. That’s how it came about.” – the 80-year-old concluded.
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