Michael Schumacher's first F1 race-winning Benetton B192 hits auction for €8.5m

The car in which Michael Schumacher secured his maiden Formula 1 victory, the 1992 Benetton B192, has been listed for auction via Broad Arrow Auctions for an estimated €8.5million.

Having started the 1992 F1 season with an updated B191, Benetton introduced the B192 at the fourth round in Spain. Schumacher, partnered with Martin Brundle at the time, secured his maiden grand prix win with the machinery at the Belgian Grand Prix, behind the wheel of the B192 chassis number 5.

Designed by Rory Byrne under the leadership of Ross Brawn, the B192 accumulated 11 podium finishes, one win and two fastest laps with both Schumacher and Brundle. With the striking yellow and green livery, the B192 was powered by a Ford 3.5-litre V8 engine, which produced 660-680bhp. 

Brundle reflected on the 1992 season and the Benetton B192 during a feature for Sky Sports F1 in 2022.

"30 years ago, the 1992 Formula 1 season looked very different to today," he said. "There were only 16 grand prix, but these were contested by 16 teams, and a total of 39 drivers attempted to qualify for a race.

1992 Benetton B192 of Michael Schumacher

Photo by: Broad Arrow Auctions

"The Williams FW14B was the car to beat, a technical masterpiece which only a lion could tame. Nigel Mansell in red five won nine of the races, and he was world champion by mid-August. Imagine that today.

"Michael Schumacher and I did our very best to challenge Williams in the relatively basic but highly effective Benetton B192."

The video cut to a clip of Schumacher. "I had the car today that was unbelievable, and I have to say thank you to the team," the seven-time champion said of the B192 after clinching the win in Belgium.

After getting behind the wheel of the B192 once again, Brundle added: "I got fired in true Formula 1 style. The team wanted an Italian driver for 1993, and that was the end of my Benetton career. And what a privilege it was to be Michael Schumacher's team-mate, an emerging talent of the time, and what a truly great driver."