A historic F1 car auctioned for a colossal sum
Have you always dreamed of Formula 1? Are you crazy about cars? Are you a die-hard fan of the McLaren team? Is your idol none other than Ayrton Senna? Well, this legendary red and white car is for you... Provided you have deep pockets or the approval of a damn good financial advisor who is just as obsessed with motor racing!
The iconic McLaren MP4/6 driven by the legendary Ayrton Senna is being auctioned for a cool $12 to $15 million on the RM Sotheby's website, an Ontario-based company specializing in this field. Headquartered in Canada, the company is active throughout North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
This is the single-seater in which he clinched his first victory on home soil in Brazil in 1991 and won his last drivers' championship.
At the time, the car was equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and powered by a V12 engine developing 720 horsepower.
Last race
“It was an engineering masterpiece designed by chief designer Neil Oatley under the technical direction of Gordon Murray,” the sales announcement states. It was equipped with an all-new 3.5-liter V12 engine capable of producing 720 horsepower and reaching an impressive 13,800 rpm, coupled with a six-speed manual transmission, all housed in a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and clad in carbon fiber bodywork."
Since its retirement from racing at the end of the 1991 season, McLaren had repaired it and kept it in race-ready condition. It remained in the manufacturer's possession until 2020.
According to the announcement, the car is located in the United Arab Emirates, in the possession of its sole buyer.
This version of the MP4/6 won eight Grand Prix races in addition to the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships. The last V12 car equipped with a manual gearbox, it marked the most successful era for the British team.
A historic Grand Prix
For the “little” story of the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit, Senna was trying to savor his first title in seven attempts in his native country.
The reigning world champion thought he would make it until 10 laps from the checkered flag when his transmission started to malfunction.
During the last seven laps, he drove only in sixth gear, watching his comfortable lead over Riccardo Patrese melt away in the rain, with the Williams car appearing in his rearview mirrors four seconds behind.
Senna fought to maintain his position by taking the tight corners at as low as 2,000 rpm, trying to stall in the rain.
He finally crossed the finish line less than three seconds ahead of the Italian and appeared on the podium under medical escort.
Exhausted after an extraordinary feat, his body racked with cramps and spasms, he struggled to lift the trophy for what he called his “hardest victory of his career.” The second of his seven that year.
