Police have successfully recovered a Ferrari stolen from former Formula One driver Gerhard Berger almost three decades ago. The theft occurred during the 1995 San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, where Berger's Ferrari F512M, alongside another sports car, was taken.
Investigators believe that the stolen car, a modified version of Ferrari's renowned Testarossa, was transported to Japan shortly after the theft. However, the sports car, valued at approximately £350,000 and adorned in the classic Ferrari red, resurfaced in the UK in late 2023. The Metropolitan Police became aware of the situation in January of the following year when Ferrari reported the stolen vehicle.
Ferrari had conducted checks on a car being purchased by a US buyer through a UK broker in 2023, uncovering its stolen status. PC Mike Pilbeam, leading the investigation, remarked, "The stolen Ferrari was missing for more than 28 years before we managed to track it down in just four days.
"Our enquiries were painstaking and included contacting authorities from around the world.
"We worked quickly with partners including the National Crime Agency, as well as Ferrari and international car dealerships, and this collaboration was instrumental in understanding the vehicle's background and stopping it from leaving the country."
Despite the successful recovery, the second stolen car remains at large. As of now, no arrests have been made, but the investigation continues.
The Ferrari F512M marked the final iteration of Ferrari's iconic Testarossa, with approximately 500 units produced between 1994 and 1996. The Testarossa itself was Ferrari's flagship model in the 1980s, gaining fame among yuppies and making appearances in pop culture, including the hit TV series Miami Vice. Renowned personalities such as Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, and Elton John, along with Gerhard Berger, were among those who owned a Testarossa during its heyday.
