Ferrari F310 B

1997 Ferrari F310B Chassis #178

1 of 3 F310B chassis to be solely driven by 7-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher

Driven by Schumacher to victory at the 1997 Japanese Grand Prix

Also driven by Schumacher at the title-deciding race at Jerez in 1997; which saw the infamous
collision with Villeneuve on lap 48

Recently fully serviced by Risi Competizione with extensive appearances with Ferrari Corsa Clienti
F310B Background

Ferrari and Formula 1 have been synonymous since both inceptions, with success on the racetrack
propelling the Ferrari name to being one of the most recognisable around the world. 1997 saw
Ferrari celebrating their 50th anniversary and on the racetrack it coincided with a return to form, after
a couple of seasons characterised by mid-field obscurity.

1996 saw the Scuderia signing two-time World Champion, Michael Schumacher, and although the
F310 of that season was largely uncompetitive, the F310B of the 1997 was a significant step forward;
one that would see the dawn of a dominant era for both Schumacher and Ferrari. Following the
signing of Michael, Ferrari soon added Rory Byrne and Ross Brawn for the ’97 Season, who joined
Jean Todt to create one of the most successful management and driver combinations that the sport
has seen to this day.

Compared to the 1996 car, the F310B was an improvement in all areas, most notably with more
efficient aerodynamics. Ferrari reduced the vehicle’s width, redesigned the running gear, and
introduced the 046/2 V10 engine, while also implementing a new actuation system for the seven
speed gearbox. This 10-cylinder power unit and 7-speed transmission were the first for Ferrari to put
in an F1 car and were also combined with the ‘final’ wide-body chassis, before the ’98 regulations
mandated narrowed overall widths for all cars on the grid.

The development in the F310B enabled the Maranello outfit to be a serious contender in both World
Championships for the 1997 season, with Schumacher claiming five Grand Prix victories across the
season in Monaco, Canada, France, Belgium and Japan.

In total, Ferrari built nine F310B chassis for the 1997 season, numbered consecutively from 172 to
180, with only seven of these being recorded as ‘race chassis.’ They were used by the drivers in the
following way:

•Chassis 174, 177, and 178 – Used solely by Michael Schumacher

•Chassis 173 and 176 – Used solely by Eddie Irvine

•Chassis 179 and 180 – Shared by both drivers later in the year

Of the nine examples produced, Chassis 178 can certainly be regarded as the most historically
significant. This chassis was piloted by Schumacher to his final victory of the season at Suzuka and
driven by him at one of the most dramatic season finales in F1 at Jerez.

F310B Chassis #178

This chassis was one of three that were solely driven by Schumacher and used for a total of four
Grand Prix, with the most notable outings being the victory at Suzuka and season finale at Jerez.

Suzuka Grand Prix, 1997

The 1997 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit was the penultimate race of the 1997 Formula One
season and a crucial moment in the championship battle between Michael Schumacher and Jacques
Villeneuve. Michael started the weekend with a dominant pole position and would follow this up
with a trademark victory from lights to flag, controlling the race and taking the World Championship
battle to the final race of the season. Although Williams claimed the Constructor’s Championship at
the race, Schumacher went into Jerez 1997 with a slender 1 point lead.

Schumacher’s Suzuka victory was one of his most composed and dominant drives of the season and
positioned him as the favourite heading into the final race.

Jerez Grand Prix, 1997

The 1997 European Grand Prix at Circuito Permanente de Jerez was one of the most dramatic and
controversial finales in Formula One history, deciding the championship between Michael
Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve. The weekend started with one of the most iconic qualifying
sessions in F1 history with Schumacher, Villeneuve and Frentzen all setting precisely the same lap
time (1:21.072), although Jacques would start on pole given that he set the time earlier in the
session. With just 1 point between the title rivals, it meant that almost certainly whoever finished
ahead in the race would be Driver’s World Champion.

The race is clearly most famous for the collision between Villeneuve and Schumacher on lap 48,
which saw the Ferrari F310B #178 beached in the gravel and the Williams go on to finish the race
with the Canadian claiming his one and only World Championship. The incident remains one that is
hotly debated amongst the F1 community, but undeniably showcased Schumacher’s ‘win at all costs’
attitude towards racing and is attributed to being a key moment in the subsequent five World
Championships he would go on to win with the Scuderia. In period, the incident was judged by the
FIA to be deliberate with Schumacher being disqualified from the entire 1997 championship
standings, although his race results remained in the historical records. In hindsight, the incident at
Jerez marked the end of Schumacher’s turbulent early Ferrari years and the beginning of the long
term project that eventually produced Ferrari’s historic dominance in the early 2000s.

#178 Post Racing

The F310B was replaced by the F300 for the 1998 season, with chassis #178 initially being retained
by the factory before beginning its ‘life after F1’ in the following years. The car has been owned by
notable Ferrari collectors and a board member in its time of private ownership and has been a very
active vehicle in Ferrari Corsa Clienti events around the world. Other notable appearances include
running up the hill at Goodwood FOS 2007 and at the Monaco Historique in 2008. More recently, the
car was driven at both the Silverstone Corsa Clienti and shown at the Finali Mondiali in 2023.
Following these outings, the car was fully serviced by the factory, continuing this consistent
relationship in the workshops of Maranello.

#178 today is presented in its Japan 1997 Grand Prix winning livery and ready to be enjoyed and
showed at some of the most prestigious occasions on the automotive and Ferrari calendar. Its active
and recent participation in Ferrari Clienti events, combined with unrivalled provenance in the
Schumacher-Ferrari era of F1 ensures that this car is welcome at all significant events. Schumacher
driven Ferrari F1 cars are some of the most exclusive and valuable vehicles available in the world of
collectible vehicles, with F310B #178 being one of the most significant ever produced and one that
would enhance every Ferrari car collection in the world.