Lewis Hamilton F1 race-winning car to be auctioned live at British Grand Prix

Formula 1 together with RM Sotheby’s have announced a very special, single lot auction of the 2010 McLaren Mercedes MP4-25A Formula 1 Race Car, (estimate: $5m-$7m) to take place at the Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix 2021. The auction will take place on the Saturday afternoon of the race weekend, immediately prior to the first-ever Sprint Qualifying Race. In keeping with the series of firsts, this sale marks the first time any Lewis Hamilton F1 Race Car, let alone a Grand Prix winning car has ever been offered for public sale.

The McLaren MP4-25A, powered by the Mercedes-Benz FO 108X 2.4 litre V8 engine, proved to be a major improvement on its predecessor, in part due to the innovative ‘F-duct’ incorporated into its design; the system’s effect being controlled by the driver covering up a small hole in the cockpit with his left leg. The design innovation along with a host of other improvements helped reduce aerodynamic drag and allowed the car as much as an extra 6 mph (9.7 km/h) on straights.

In the 14 years since his F1 baptism in Melbourne in 2007, Lewis Hamilton is a 7-time F1 World Champion. He has competed in 270 Grands Prix, winning 98 and enjoying a further 71 Podium finishes, he has amassed an incredible 100 Pole Positions, 3,872 Points and led for over 5,170 Laps; each milestone reinforcing his reputation at the very pinnacle of the sport and each achieved with recognition and thanks to his team and respect to his rivals.

Kate Beavan, director of hospitality and experiences at F1 said: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with RM Sotheby’s in announcing the first-ever sale of a Lewis Hamilton F1 GP winning car. The timing of the sale couldn’t be better, a little over ten years on from Lewis’ race win #12 in Istanbul, the car will be offered for public sale at Silverstone, home of Formula 1 racing; and the wake of Lewis surpassing Michael Schumacher’s all-time F1 race wins total. After the huge success of our Abu Dhabi sale in 2019, this very special event will see us actually auction an F1 car, while it is being driven around an F1 circuit. It is an incredible stage upon which to sell this iconic car.”