Ex-Formula One head decided to sell 69 race cars worth more than $600 million

Former head of "Formula 1" Bernie Ecclestone put up for sale his collection of 69 racing cars, the cost of which is estimated at £500 million (about $635 million). This was reported by the British newspaper The Telegraph on December 1.

In the possession of 94-year-old businessman are bolides Ferrari, Brabham, Maserati and a number of other models that belonged to such world champions as Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda and Mike Hawthorn.

The publication noted that the decision to sell Ecclestone made after he was found guilty of tax evasion last year and was obliged to pay £652 million (more than $828 million) to the Treasury. He himself said he was motivated by a desire to put the cars in good hands in the event of his demise.

According to Ecclestone, he collected his collection for more than 50 years and always bought only the best cars, which "have an amazing racing history and are rare works of art".

Earlier, on September 25, it was reported that a collection of rare luxury cars, including Lamborgini, Porsche and Ferrari, was discovered in the United States. The cars belonged to German immigrant Rudy Klein and about 40 years stood in a junkyard in Los Angeles.