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An exceptional original 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans programme, extensively signed by more than 35 drivers and leading motorsport figures from the event, including Michael Schumacher and Jean Todt.
The significance of Schumacher’s autograph makes this programme particularly special. The 1991 Le Mans 24 Hours represented Schumacher’s first and only appearance at Le Mans, competing as a 22-year-old Mercedes junior driver alongside Karl Wendlinger and Fritz Kreutzpointner in the Sauber-Mercedes C11.
Despite his relative inexperience, Schumacher immediately demonstrated the ability that would soon make him one of the greatest drivers in motorsport history. The young trio led the race during the opening stages before gearbox problems cost them considerable time. They ultimately recovered to finish fifth overall, with Schumacher setting the fastest lap of the entire race – 3:35.564.
Remarkably, Le Mans took place only a little over two months before Schumacher made his Formula One debut for Jordan at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix. This programme therefore represents an exceptionally early chapter in his career, before his arrival in Formula One and long before his seven World Championships and 91 Grand Prix victories.
Adding another fascinating historical connection is the signature of Jean Todt. In 1991, Todt was overseeing Peugeot’s motorsport programme, while Schumacher was competing for rival Sauber-Mercedes. Todt would move to Ferrari in 1993, with Schumacher joining the Scuderia three years later in 1996. Together they became central figures in Ferrari’s extraordinary period of dominance, including Schumacher’s five consecutive Formula One World Championships between 2000 and 2004.
To find the signatures of Schumacher and Todt together on an original programme from 1991, five years before they began working together at Ferrari, creates a wonderful piece of motorsport history.
The programme is extensively signed throughout by competitors from the 1991 event, including:
Michael Schumacher
Jean Todt
Karl Wendlinger
Jean-Louis Schlesser
Bob Wollek
John Nielsen
Derek Warwick
Teo Fabi
Yves Courage
François Migault
Marcel Tarrès
Mauro Baldi
Jean-Louis Ricci
Pierre-Henri Raphanel
Yannick Dalmas
Claude Bourbonnais
Franz Konrad
Marco Brand
Philippe Alliot
George Fouché
Pierre Yver
Lionel Robert
Wayne Taylor
Manuel Reuter
Plus a further 12 signatures, making this an exceptionally well-signed surviving programme from one of the most historically significant Le Mans races of the early 1990s.
The 1991 race itself has an important place in Le Mans history, remembered for Mazda’s famous victory with the rotary-powered 787B as well as the emergence of a young Michael Schumacher on the international stage.
Combining an original period Le Mans programme, more than 35 signatures and an exceptionally early Michael Schumacher autograph alongside his future Ferrari team principal Jean Todt, this is a superb piece of Formula One, Group C and Le Mans history.
Accompanied by an AB Memorabilia Certificate of Authenticity.
£395.00
1 in stock
