Valuable Ferrari stolen from F1 driver recovered nearly 30 years later

A Ferrari F512M reportedly worth close to £350,000 ($AU682,500) has been recovered nearly 30 years after it was stolen from Formula One driver Gerhard Berger.

UK police say the vehicle was allegedly stolen in Imola during the 1995 Italian Grand Prix – along with a Ferrari 355 belonging to Mr Berger’s previous teammate, Jean Alesi – according to UK newspaper The Standard.

Police claim Mr Berger’s Ferrari F512M was located when the luxury car maker alerted authorities during a sales check – with the sportscar identified as a stolen vehicle while in the process of changing ownership from a UK broker to a buyer in the US.

Authorities say the vehicle was shipped to Japan “shortly after being stolen” and brought to the UK in 2023.

Lead Investigator Mike Pilbeam said police collaborated with numerous parties to locate the luxury car and prevent it from leaving UK shores.

“We worked quickly with partners including the National Crime Agency, as well as Ferrari and international car dealerships,” Mr Pilbeam said in a media statement.

“This collaboration was instrumental in understanding the vehicle’s background and stopping it from leaving the country.”

Police say the investigation is ongoing – with no suspects arrested at this time.

Per The Standard report – Mr Berger reportedly tried to stop the theft of his Ferrari by blocking the car as it was leaving, though was forced to move out of the way when it showed no sign of slowing.

The 10-time Grand Prix winner then reportedly tried to chase the thieves with the use of a friend's Volkswagen Golf but was unsuccessful.