1991 Jean Alesi Ferrari F1 model sold for $3.93 million in Paris auction

The 1991 Ferrari 643 model, which was driven by Jean Alesi and Gianni Morbidelli, has sold for almost $3.93 million at an auction in Paris.

1991 Jean Alesi Ferrari F1 model sold for $3.93 million in Paris auction

A 1991 Ferrari 643, driven by Jean Alesi and Gianni Morbidelli

Some of the most expensive Formula 1 cars ever sold at auction have been Ferrari models. The Italian manufacturer is, by quite some distance, the most iconic and successful team ever in the sport. That is, despite the fact that recent success seems to have evaded them, for almost a decade-and-a-half now. There was another such period of a disappointment for them in the mid-80s – from 1984 to 1998, they won 0 championships.

Despite this lack of success, a Ferrari from this period has now joined the list of ‘most expensive cars’ sold at auction. A 1991 Ferrari 643, driven by Jean Alesi and teammate Gianni Morbidelli, was recently sold for a whopping $3.93 million (€3.66 million) at an RM Sotheby’s auction in Paris. Other, non-F1 Ferrari cars sold at the auction include a 1967 275 GTB/4 ($3.32 million), a 2003 Enzo ($4.34 million), and a 1990 F40 ($2.05 million).

YouTube video

The most expensive car sold at the auction was a one-of-a-kind ‘pre-series’ Bugatti Chiron Profilée ($10.5 million). Coming back to the 643, the car is in full running order, and eligible for historic racing events. In 1991, it was in the running at the Australian, British, and French Grands Prix. It is powered by a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine, which produces over 700 horsepower.

Read More: “Lucky son of the b*stard,” Fans react as Charles Leclerc takes Michael Schumacher’s $9.5 million dollar Ferrari for a spin

$3.93 million Ferrari 643 can’t match the most expensive F1 car ever sold at auction

A 1991 Ferrari 643
A 1991 Ferrari 643

Recently, another 1991 car was sold at auction: A Jordan 191, in which seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher made his debut, in a practice session. The car was also driven by Andrea de Cesaris and Alessandro Zanardi. The Jordan was recently sold for $1.6 million at a Bonhams auction in Paris. The Ferrari 643, has quite easily knocked the Jordan’s price out of the park. Despite the fact that the Jordan model may be more historically important.

After the season’s end (at the Australian GP, where Gianni Morbidelli finished P6 in the 643), the ‘chassis 127’ was refurbished and sold to a South African collector. Next, it went to Peter Bailey, also based in South Africa. When he owned it, it was driven by Ian Scheckter – brother of Jody Scheckter, who won the 1979 world championship driving for Ferrari.

$3.93 million is a very sizable price, but it’s still not enough to touch the two most expensive Formula 1 cars ever sold at auction. The most expensive ever is a 1954 Mercedes W196R, driven by Juan Manuel Fangio, Hans Herrmann, and Karl Kling, which went for a mind-boggling $23.67 million. The second most expensive F1 car ever sold at auction is Michael Schumacher’s 2003 Ferrari F2003, which sold for almost $13.2 million.

In case you missed it: