--- title: "London Police Recover F1 Driver’s Stolen Ferrari 28 Years Later" description: "Gerhard Berger's Ferrari F512 M was stolen after the 1995 San Marino GP and has finally been recovered by police in London." date: "2024-03-04" modified: "2024-03-04" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/london-police-recover-f1-drivers-stolen-ferrari-28-years-later" categories: - "Ferrari News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Ferrari" - "Supercar" --- # London Police Recover F1 Driver’s Stolen Ferrari 28 Years Later ![]() *London Metropolitan Police* In 1995, former Ferrari F1 driver Gerhard Berger had his 1995 [Ferrari]() F512 M stolen, after the San Marino Grand Prix in Italy. In an *Oceans Eleven*-style heist, two thieves stole Berger's Ferrari and his teammate Jean Alesi's Ferrari [F355]() from the hotel they were staying at. Neither Ferrari was ever seen again. Until now that is, as London's Metropolitan Police just recovered Berger's [F512 M]() and it's miraculously still in one piece. The [Metropolitan Police]() were made aware of the Ferrari's stolen identity back in January when Ferrari flagged it during a pre-purchase inspection. A buyer in the United States requested the PPI from Ferrari while looking to export the F512 M from the U.K. But after Ferrari realized it was Berger's stolen car from 1995, it notified the Metropolitan Police, who stopped the export. ![]() ![]() According to the Metropolitan Police, the Ferrari lived in Japan for most of its post-theft life, before being shipped to the U.K. late last year. At some point, Berger's F512 M received some aftermarket modifications, such as front parking sensors and a heinous-looking steering wheel. “The stolen Ferrari—close to the value of £350,000 \[$444,000\]—was missing for more than 28 years before we managed to track it down in just four days," said Police Constable Mike Pilbeam. “Our enquiries were painstaking and included contacting authorities from around the world. We worked quickly with partners including the National Crime Agency, as well as Ferrari and international car dealerships, and this collaboration was instrumental in understanding the vehicle’s background and stopping it from leaving the country.” ![]() ![]() It's unclear what happens to Berger's Ferrari now. Does he get it back? After all, it was his car that was stolen. Or does Ferrari take possession of it? "We are not commenting on who the car will go back to at this time," the Metropolitan Police told *The Drive*. Regardless of where the Ferrari ends up, it's just good to know that it's been recovered. Hopefully, wherever it goes next, someone removes its aftermarket parking sensors, remedies the front bumper, and puts a stock steering wheel back on. Unfortunately, Alesi's F355 is still in the wild, but the recovery of Berger's Ferrari remind us stolen cars don't necessarily have to stay stolen forever. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()