Williams sues garage owner over missing $1M F1 car linked to Ralf Schumacher
Williams Racing is suing a former garage owner for the return of a rare 2001 Formula 1 car or $1.3 million in damages. The car, which was on loan, allegedly disappeared after the garage company entered liquidation.
Why it matters
The case underscores the legal complexities surrounding the preservation and ownership of high-value historical sports assets.
Williams is taking legal action against former garage owner Peter Thorpe after a historic Formula 1 car allegedly disappeared. The British team is seeking £1 million ($1.34 million) from Thorpe for the return of its rare FW23, valued at £750,000 ($1.01 million). The car was driven by Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya during the 2001 F1 season.The FW23 was loaned to Autotech Performance Ltd in 2015. It was supposed to be displayed at the company’s garage in Telford. Williams later asked for the car to be returned, but the team says it received no response. Autotech has since been liquidated and dissolved.Williams seeks return of its missing FW23 car or $1.3 millionWilliams says the FW23 is part of its unique collection of heritage Formula 1 cars. Only nine examples of the car were manufactured.
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