Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari 355 GTS
Mettet, South of Belgium. In this sunny summer morning, the sun spreads already its rays generously, while we head in the direction of the Circuit Jules Tacheny.
This track, less known as Zolder or Spa, is a narrow piece of tarmac of 2.3 km length, in the green pastureland close to the city of Namur. The perfect playground which technicality requiers rhythm and concentration, for a day of discovery of a pretty special model…
A balad in Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari
You have well read… We are not talking here about a race car, although its pedigree reminds of speed and warm tires, but of an Italian beauty like they don’t build anymore, with its 380+ bhp, 3.5 litres atmospheric V8 engine and its 6-gear manual gearbox. In short: the Ferrari F355 GTS also called “Targa”.
The one we are so lucky to test, in the video here-above isn’t red nor white or yellow. It is blue. And not any ‘simple’ blue. It’s finished in a gorgeous “Blue Le Mans” requested by non-other than a certain… Michael Schumacher in 1996. Let’s go back in time and fond memories with Ziv Knoll, its happy owner since 2004.
An absolutely unique car
“This F355 is the first company car that Michael Schumacher got from Ferrari” tells us this man so passionate of great automobiles, known for his contributions in F1i and in The Human Side of Racing. “One must remember that in 1996, the Scuderia came out of a long ‘desert crossing’ period in Formula 1 and was starting to build its ‘dream team’ around Michael Schumacher, expected at Maranello, like the messiah. This car was thus born in a key moment for Ferrari. Its symbolic is very strong.”
“Everything in this car pleased my eye”, continues the man who is also a specialised motorsport journalist. “I was able to buy it in 2004, in an auction at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix. As soon as I sat in it, I thought ‘this car is mine’. It was love at first sight.”
“It was in an impeccable state, with only 21000 km on the dash, he tells us “I received the service book that was given to Michael Schumacher after it was delivered to his then agent Willy Weber. But I also got a letter from Cavallari Monaco, stating that for two years they serviced the car for Michael Schumacher. The great champion even signed on the back of the drivers’ seat.
It was tailor-made for “Schumi”
But the unique character of this Ferrari lays deeper than its accessories. “What struck me, was the rear track, wider than in a classical F355”, continues Ziv Knoll. “I was told that Schumacher had pounded the Fiorano track at the wheel of a test car, actually a red GTB. At the end of the day, he gave his instructions to the Ferrari engineers.”
“First, he expressed his desire to get a Targa, the GTS, with a manual gearbox, which is logical, then he wanted a particularly efficient engine, the best ever fitted in a 355, its compression is quite exceptional for a F355, plus he asked for a very special colour. And its Luca di Montezemolo (Ferrari’s President at the time) who was happy to give him the keys in person.”
But why a F355 GTS?
A brand like Ferrari proposes prestigious models, so opting for the relatively modest F355 is surprising. For sure, there is a certain commercial logic to it, who better than the star-driver to promote a new generation? Ziv Knoll explains what were the motivations of such a choice, for the one who was ‘only’ a double world champion at the time.
“Do not forget that the F355 was the descendant of the 348, considered by many as a ‘lame duck’ at the time” he explains. “Thus there was a strong will to turn a page by creating a much more seducing product, inspired in many ways by the design of the legendary Dino 246 GT from the 1960-70’s.”
“Its centrally mounted engine gives the car a perfect weight distribution. Thanks to this, but also thanks to its lightness (only 1350 kg) and an engine of nearly 400 bhp, its power to weight ratio is ideal, which makes it super efficient, even on a race track. Colin Chapman use to say ‘Light is right’, this is what has seduced Michael Schumacher.“
MICHAEL SCHUMACHER: “THIS FERRARI WAS MY FIRST LOVE”
To conclude this conversation, one question burns our lips: Did Michael Schumacher know what happened to his first Ferrari ? “I had the chance to tell him all in person” says Ziv Knoll with a sparkle in his eyes. “It was a magical moment at the 2012 Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix. I crossed his path in the paddock of Spa-Francorchamps. He was walking quickly, showing he did not want to be disturbed. I walked in his direction and just told him, Michael, I own your first Ferrari.”
“At once, he stopped and we started a nice conversation. He remembered it very well, he adored this car. I joked and told him his F355 is currently in a better state than when I bought it in Monaco back in 2004, it made him laugh. Then he told me ‘This car was my first love’, Corinna who was listening, appreciated moderately.”
“In a few minutes, I had the chance to discover a very open Michael Schumacher”, Ziv remembers. “He had the reputation of being quite distant in the F1 world, but it was the complete opposite in private. The only fact that I reminded him about his first Ferrari, brought back so many good memories, that all the barriers fell. A beautiful moment.”
