Ferrari Stolen from F1 Legend Gerhard Berger Recovered After 28 Years
A Ferrari nicked from former Formula One star Gerhard Berger in Italy way back in 1995 has finally been found, nearly three decades later. The Metropolitan Police cracked the case after a lightning-fast, four-day probe.
How the Ferrari F512M Was Traced
The prized red Ferrari F512M had vanished along with another stolen car. Both baffled authorities for years—until earlier this year.
In January 2024, Ferrari tipped off the Met after a routine check on a car bought by a US buyer through a UK broker flagged it as stolen. That kicked the Organised Vehicle Crime Unit into action.
PC Mike Pilbeam, who led the mission, revealed the drama behind the recovery: “The stolen Ferrari – valued close to £350,000 – had been missing for over 28 years before we managed to track it down in just four days.”
International Police Team-Up Unravels Global Trail
The Met’s detectives launched a globe-spanning investigation. They discovered the car was shipped to Japan soon after the theft, then quietly slipped into the UK late last year.
The probe involved close cooperation with the National Crime Agency, Ferrari itself, and dealerships worldwide. This joint effort stopped the Ferrari from being spirited out of the UK again.
Still No Arrests, Second Car Missing
Despite this major win for the cops, no arrests have been made yet. Plus, the mystery of the second stolen vehicle remains unsolved.
The Met’s Organised Vehicle Crime Unit boasts an impressive record. In 2023 alone, they recovered 418 cars worth £31 million, with 326 linked to organised crime gangs accounting for £21 million of that haul.
