Ferrari honours Schumacher's 50th birthday with special exhibition
To honor the greatest F1 driver of all-time, and celebrate his 50th birthday, Ferrari have created a very special exhibit at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello.
Aptly named ‘Michael 50’, the exhibit tells the story of Michael Schumacher's extraordinary record-breaking F1 career. A career that saw the German Ferrarista winning an unequalled seven world titles, 91 victories, 77 fastest laps and 155 podiums.
The Hall of Victories displays some of the most important Scuderia Ferrari single-seaters driven in his eleven years with the Scuderia. They range from the F310 of 1996, with which Schumacher won three GPs in his first season with the Prancing Horse, to the F399, the car that won the Constructors' title in 1999 to set Formula 1’s oldest team off on an exceptional run of victories.
There is also the F1-2000 of the legendary ‘Alba Rossa' (‘Red Dawn’), when at Suzuka Michael secured Ferrari its first the world title since Jody Scheckter 21 years before. Then of course there are the record-breaking F2002 and F2004, and the 248 F1 of 2006, in which he triumphed at the Chinese GP for his 72nd and final victory with Ferrari.
The exhibition also introduces fans to a lesser-known side of Schumacher, that of a developer. Indeed, after leaving Formula 1, the German driver remained at Ferrari not only to help the Scuderia but also to contribute to the development of various road cars, such as the 430 Scuderia in 2007 and the Ferrari California in 2008.
The ‘Michael 50’ exhibition is running alongside the ‘Driven by Enzo’ and ‘Passion and Legend’ displays at the Ferrari museum. ‘Michael 50’ has been organised in partnership with the Keep Fighting Foundation.
To coincide with the exhibition, the Schumacher family released an app on his 50th birthday which will be a “virtual museum” of the driver’s achievements.
The statement added: “As a gift to him, you and us, Keep Fighting Foundation has created a virtual museum. The app is another millstone in our effort to do justice to him and you, his fans, by celebrating his accomplishments. We wish you a lot of fun with it.”
Also worth a look: the Ferrari F80: Where Retro Design Meets Futuristic Fury and the V6-powered Ferrari 296 GTB revealed.
FAQ
Q: Where can I see the Ferrari Michael 50 exhibition?
The Michael 50 exhibition is located at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy, running alongside the 'Driven by Enzo' and 'Passion and Legend' displays.
Q: What Ferrari F1 cars are displayed in the Michael 50 exhibit?
The exhibition features Schumacher's most important Ferrari single-seaters including the F310 from 1996, F399, F1-2000, F2002, F2004, and the 248 F1 from 2006 in which he scored his final Ferrari victory.
Q: How many world championships did Michael Schumacher win with Ferrari?
Schumacher won five consecutive world championships with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004, contributing to his total of seven F1 world titles throughout his career.
Q: What road cars did Michael Schumacher help develop for Ferrari?
After retiring from F1, Schumacher remained at Ferrari to help develop road cars including the 430 Scuderia in 2007 and the Ferrari California in 2008.
Q: Is there a Michael Schumacher app related to the exhibition?
Yes, the Schumacher family released a virtual museum app on his 50th birthday to coincide with the Michael 50 exhibition, organised in partnership with the Keep Fighting Foundation.
Should You Buy It?
While you can't exactly buy the Michael 50 exhibition itself, if you're considering a pilgrimage to Maranello to experience this legendary tribute, absolutely do it. Museum entry costs around R400 per adult, making it one of the most affordable ways to get close to genuine F1 history. For Ferrari enthusiasts and motorsport fans, seeing Schumacher's championship-winning cars like the F1-2000 and F2002 up close is worth every rand. The exhibition offers rare insight into the German legend's development work on road cars too, making it essential viewing for any petrolhead planning a European adventure. Book your tickets online and prepare for goosebumps when you stand next to the machines that made history.
