He buys a Maserati MC12 signed by Michael Schumacher: «it's more comfortable and less claustrophobic than a Ferrari Enzo»

The Maserati MC12 is one of those rare cars whose legend goes far beyond their mere technical specifications. Produced in just 50 examples for the road, this supercar born in the early 2000s hides a fascinating story: that of a Ferrari Enzo transformed into a true racing machine.

And the example recently presented by a specialist dealer in the USA has an even more incredible detail: a signature attributed to Michael Schumacher on its door.

A supercar born to race

To understand the MC12, we need to go back to the initial project. At the time, Ferrari was developing the Enzo as a technological showcase, but the Prancing Horse marque had no intention of entering it in competition.

Maserati, part of the Ferrari group, took advantage of this exceptional technical base to create a car capable of racing in the FIA GT championship. The MC12 was thus conceived as a true competition car. Road versions were produced only to satisfy the regulations and enable Maserati to enter the racing version in the championship.

Technically, the link with the Ferrari Enzo is obvious. There's the carbon-fiber chassis, the naturally-aspirated V12 derived from Maranello and many of the same technical solutions. But Maserati takes the concept a step further: the car is longer, wider and, above all, optimized for racing.

The result was spectacular: the MC12 became one of the most dominant cars in FIA GT history, winning several manufacturers' titles and making a lasting mark on the category.

The Ferrari Enzo that really ran

In the world of enthusiasts, the MC12 is often described as «the Enzo of racing». A phrase that perfectly sums up its role in the history of Ferrari and Maserati. While Ferrari never officially took the Enzo to the track, Maserati did so in its stead.

The MC12 takes the basis of the Maranello supercar, but adapts it to meet the demands of endurance racing and the GT championship. It was up against some of the most impressive machines of its day: Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, Saleen S7R, Porsche and Aston Martin in the same category. The result was a unique car: a direct derivative of the Enzo, designed first and foremost for the track, then adapted for the road.

A Michael Schumacher signature

The recently presented model has an immediately intriguing detail: a signature attributed to Michael Schumacher on the door.

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion has indeed driven the Maserati MC12 on several occasions at events and demonstrations. There are also photos of him alongside the model, reinforcing the credibility of this signature.

It remains to be seen whether this signature was made on this particular example or on another car. The current owners intend to carry out research to confirm this. In any case, this detail adds a little more aura to an already mythical car.

A supercar as spectacular as it is rare

The Maserati MC12 immediately impresses with its extraordinary proportions. Originally over five meters long, it had to be slightly shortened to comply with certain homologation regulations.

Early versions were longer, while later models had slightly smaller bodies. Another special feature: unlike the Enzo, the MC12 has a removable roof, allowing the naturally-aspirated V12 to be enjoyed in the open air. A detail that reinforces its unique character.

On board, the atmosphere is strongly reminiscent of the Ferrari Enzo, with a minimalist dashboard and a cockpit entirely focused on performance. But, according to its new owner, the Maserati is also a little more comfortable and less claustrophobic than its Maranello cousin, a point often emphasized by those who have had the chance to drive both models.

Value still underestimated?

Despite its rarity and racing history, some specialists believe that the MC12 remains undervalued on today's collector's market.

When compared with other modern hypercars or the most sought-after Ferraris, its pedigree is nonetheless exceptional: extremely limited production, the technical basis of the Ferrari Enzo and an impressive racing record. For many, it even represents a unique piece of automotive history: the only true racing version of the Enzo.