In collaboration with Steven Casaer’s Maxim Experience team, the 952cc motore grosso was campaigned throughout the 2001 and 2002 seasons. As a result, MV Agusta gained two years of formidable competition that was used as a test-bed to develop its first Mille engine.

The 2001 season was contested by Casaer and Danny Scheers, who rode the F4 to 1st position in the open prototype class at Brands Hatch, its best finish that year. The duo finished 10th overall, though regulations in place meant that no points could be scored.

Often factory prototypes are snatched from their last competitive outing and hidden away or destroyed due to commercial secrecy, never to be seen in public again.

However, owing to its ‘semi-works’ status, this significant piece of MV Agusta history is being offered for sale in the Classic Driver Marketplace, complete with original correspondence between Casaer and the factory as well as castings from all the other engines built for the F4 project. Fantastico!

Text: Alex Easthope
Photos: Bonhams