The Metropolitan Police in London cracked an intriguing automotive mystery. Recently, the Organised Vehicle Crime Unit made a breakthrough by recovering a Ferrari 512M that had been snatched from Formula One driver Gerhard Berger’s possession a whopping 28 years ago, during the 1995 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.
During the hustle and bustle of the race back in ’95, thieves seized both Berger’s 512M and teammate Jean Alesi’s 355 from a hotel parking lot. It was reported that Berger even caught a glimpse of the thief zooming away in his Ferrari. Fast forward to the present, the Metropolitan Police, with the cooperation of Ferrari, managed to retrieve Berger’s long-lost 512M. Ferrari had informed investigators in January that they had examined the vehicle on behalf of an American buyer acquiring it from a UK broker.
A fascinating twist emerged as the police traced the car’s journey. After its theft, the Ferrari made its way to Japan before resurfacing in the UK in late 2023. The Metropolitan Police promptly impounded the vehicle to prevent its departure from the country.
Lead investigator Mike Pilbeam expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort that led to the breakthrough, acknowledging the involvement of partners such as the National Crime Agency, Ferrari, and international car dealerships. However, the investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made yet. Regrettably, Alesi’s F355 remains elusive.
Despite the ordeal of having their prized cars stolen, both Berger and Alesi achieved commendable success at the 1995 San Marino Grand Prix. Alesi secured the runner-up spot, while Berger clinched third place.
The Ferrari 512M represented the pinnacle of the iconic Testarossa’s evolution from the 1980s. Notable upgrades included fixed headlights replacing the erstwhile pop-up lamps. Its beefed-up 4.9-liter flat-12 engine churned out an impressive 434 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. With just 501 units produced, the Ferrari 512M remains a coveted piece of automotive history.