There are Ferrari F40... and then there's this one. A radical version, transformed in the 1990s to go far beyond what Maranello had imagined. An F40 that not only became an iconic supercar, but also enjoyed a real racing career before disappearing... and then being reborn.
Its story began in 1990, when it left the factory as a classic European F40. Delivered new to Germany, it belonged to a brand enthusiast who exhibited and raced it on circuits such as Mugello and Spa. But its destiny soon changed.
Radical transformation with Peter Sauber
In 1994, the car was entrusted to Hamann Motorsport, a German tuner best known for its BMWs. But for this project, Hamann was thinking big. Very big.
To exploit the F40's full potential, he called on a prestigious name: Peter Sauber, future boss of the Formula 1 team of the same name. Under his supervision, the twin-turbo V8 received larger KKK turbos, increased boost pressure, reinforced components... and a preparation worthy of a racing car.
The result is spectacular: power climbs to around 700 hp at the time, with an even more advanced evolution today thanks to modern MoTeC electronic management allowing up to 720 hp. The transformation doesn't stop with the engine. The F40 gets a front end inspired by the F40 LM, a huge rear spoiler, and improved brakes and suspension. A true war machine, designed for the track.
A real career in competition in 1996
Unlike many extreme preparations, this F40 will not remain a mere technological showcase. It was entered into competition. In 1996, it took part in the BPR Global GT Series, the forerunner of the modern GT championships. In particular, it took part in the 4 Hours of Nürburgring and the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
But as was often the case for private teams at the time, limited resources made the task difficult. The car retired at the Nürburgring due to mechanical problems, then finished 26th at Spa. Modest results, but real legitimacy: this F40 did indeed race at the highest GT level of its era.
Abandoned in a barn for years
After its racing career, the Ferrari passed through several hands in Germany before moving to the UK in the early 2000s. And it's here that its story takes an almost unreal turn. Over time, the car was neglected, forgotten... until it was stored in a barn in the north of England. For years, this unique F40, steeped in history, lay abandoned. It wasn't until 2012 that a Ferrari enthusiast rediscovered it. A Ferrari enthusiast who, ironically, had once owned a brand-new F40... and regretted selling it.
A titanic restoration for a renaissance
What followed was something out of the ordinary. The car was entrusted to Moto Technique in the UK for a complete restoration... and the results were brutal. Suspensions destroyed, braking system in need of complete overhaul, fuel tanks in poor condition, traces of an electrical fire... the F40 had suffered.
But instead of a simple overhaul, the project became a total restoration. Every part was rebuilt or replaced, with the help of specialists such as Michelotto for certain components, and Crosthwaite & Gardiner for the engine. The V8 is completely rebuilt, with modern electronic management offering three power modes: around 550, 650 or 720 hp. The bodywork has also been extensively reworked, with a return to the original carbon-Kevlar structure.
The result is spectacular: an F40 that is both faithful to its history and optimized with modern know-how.
A unique piece soon to be auctioned
Today, this unusual Ferrari F40 is back in the limelight... but this time under the spotlight. Estimated at between 2.25 and 2.75 million euros, it will be offered at an auction in Monaco on April 25, 2026. A good price, which in our opinion is justified by its extremely rare pedigree: an F40 modified at the time with the involvement of Peter Sauber, entered in international competition, then saved from a long abandonment. A car that epitomizes the madness of the 1990s: radical, imperfect and extreme!
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