Going off grid: Autocar's best F1-inspired used cars

Before going to Ferrari, Schumacher drove for Benetton, whose cars used Ford engines. In recognition of the German winning his first F1 World Championship in 1994, Ford applied his name to a special Escort XR3i Cabriolet. Sadly it appears that, like their namesake infamously did in Adelaide, most have now left the track. The only XR3i from this era that we could find was a non-Schumi cabrio. It’s in nice condition, though.

One we found: Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet, 1993/K, 85k miles, £4759

Fiat Seicento Michael Schumacher Sporting

Schumacher knew his value and, once he had headed to Maranello, so did the company paying his wages. In 2001, the year he clinched the fourth of his seven titles, Fiat put his name to its 54bhp Seicento city car. In fact, the company was taking a gamble, since the German driver was not as popular among Italians as some Ferrari drivers had been. Fiat made 3000 examples of the Michael Schumacher Sporting, and 120 are still registered in the UK.

One we found: Fiat Seicento Michael Schumacher Sporting, 2002/02, 62k miles, £3999

Renault Megane Renaultsport 265 Red Bull Racing RB8

Following a Fernando Alonso-inspired edition in 2006, the Mégane was again the focus of F1 special-edition treatment when Red Bull Racing, powered by Renault V8 engines, won its fourth consecutive constructors’ title and Sebastian Vettel his fourth consecutive drivers’ title. This time, though, the standard Mégane RS 265 was already so good that the Red Bull sheen amounted to no more than larger wheels, sat-nav, a special paint colour (Twilight Blue) and some branding.

One we found: Renault Mégane Renaultsport 265 Red Bull Racing RB8, 2013/63, 33k miles, £14,995

Renault Clio Williams

Renault supplied the Williams team with engines during its 1990s glory years, and it was no surprise that the partnership yielded a run of specialedition road cars intended to capitalise on this success. The first off the line was the Clio Williams 1, followed, to the irritation of many existing owners, by the Clio Williams 2 and the Clio Williams 3. As the first and lightest of the three iterations, the Williams 1 is the most sought-after; last month, a 1994 example with 76,000 miles made £19,995 at auction.

One we found: Renault Clio Williams 3, 1995/N, 86k miles, £9480 (repaired Category C write-off)

Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26

This Mégane RS 230 was the one launched to celebrate Alonso securing his second consecutive F1 title for Renault in 2006. Fittingly, given the Spaniard’s demanding nature, the special model amounted to more than a numbered plaque. For example, its engine produces 5bhp more than the standard 225 version and it has a limited-slip differential, stiffer suspension and reduced bumpstops. All this and it still cost the same as the regular 225.

One we found: Renault Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26, 2007/07, 86k miles, £3995

Mercedes-AMG A45 Petronas 2015 World Champion Edition

Few blamed Mercedes for playing the special-edition card after it did the F1 double in 2015, winning its second consecutive constructors’ title and its lead driver, Sir Lewis Hamilton, his second consecutive drivers’ title. The result was one of the longest names in special-edition history. This particular A45 was available in a choice of three Silver Arrows-inspired colour schemes and fitted with special trim and badging.

One we found: Mercedes-AMG A45 Petronas 2015 World Champion Edition, 2016/16, 21k miles, £33,990

Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTL-i T Sport

Rather than celebrating past achievements, Toyota’s T Sport brand celebrated those expected to come. Pride comes before a fall, though, and Toyota’s F1 team, which competed from 2002 to 2009, never even achieved so much as a win. Still, T Sport models, which included the Yaris and, more fittingly, the much sportier Celica, boosted Toyota’s appeal to younger drivers – a trick the new GR Yaris looks set to repeat.

One we found: Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTL-i T Sport, 2001/51, 105k miles, £1999

Honda Civic VTi-S Jordan