Staggering £500m car collection snapped up by Red Bull billionaire

A staggering collection of F1 cars owned by Bernie Ecclestone and valued at around $500 million has been sold to Red Bull billionaire Mark Mateschitz.

Ecclestone's private collection of cars, featuring those driven by Sir Stirling Moss, Niki Lauda and Michael Schumacher was put up for sale in late 2024 by the former F1 supremo after he turned 94.

It has now been reported by The Daily Mail that Mateschitz, the son of the late Red Bull founder and close friend of Ecclestone, Dietrich has snapped up the collection. 

The actual price Mateschitz paid is undisclosed. 

Mateschitz took over a 49% stake in Red Bull GmbH upon his father's death in late 2022.

Reflecting on the sale of the cars, which he decided to do in light of his advancing years and not wanting to leave his wife Fabiana to deal with the sale after his death, Ecclestone said" "These are unique vehicles. They have written sports history and marked technical milestones. They embody 70 years of F1 history.

"It means a great deal to me to know that this collection is now in the very best of hands.

"Mark is the best and most worthy owner we could ever imagine."

Mateschitz added that the cars would go on public display in the "near future."

"I am very pleased that Bernie has placed his trust in me to take care of this historically significant collection," he said.

"It will be carefully preserved, and expanded over the years, and in the near future it will be made accessible to the public at an appropriate location."