London’s Metropolitan Police have solved a 28-year-old automotive mystery, recovering a stolen Ferrari 512M belonging to Formula One driver Gerhard Berger.
The theft occurred in 1995 during the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, where thieves stole both Berger’s 512M and teammate Jean Alesi’s 355 from a hotel parking lot. Berger reportedly witnessed the thief driving away in his Ferrari.
The recovery was made possible with assistance from Ferrari, who inspected the vehicle on behalf of an American buyer purchasing it from a UK broker in January. The investigation revealed that the car had been in Japan before being imported to the UK in late 2023. Metropolitan Police swiftly impounded the Ferrari to prevent its export.
Lead investigator Mike Pilbeam credited the successful collaboration with partners, including the National Crime Agency, Ferrari, and international car dealerships, for understanding the vehicle’s history and preventing its departure from the country.
While the recovery is an outstanding achievement, the investigation continues, and no arrests have been made. Unfortunately, Alesi’s F355 remains missing.
Despite the theft, Berger and Alesi achieved success at the 1995 San Marino Grand Prix, finishing third and second, respectively. The Ferrari 512M, a rare and iconic model with only 501 examples produced, is a testament to the company’s engineering excellence, featuring a 4.9-liter flat-12 engine producing 434 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.