Lewis Hamilton's Grand Prix winning McLaren up for auction

F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton’s Grand Prix winning race car to be auctioned at this year’s British Grand Prix.

Formula 1 and RM Sotheby’s have announced the auction of Lewis Hamilton’s Grand Prix winning 2010 McLaren Mercedes MP4-25A Formula 1 Race Car, with an estimate of $5,000,000 – $7,000,000.

The auction will take place on the Saturday afternoon of the race weekend immediately prior to F1’s 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 Lewis Hamilton’s Grand Prix winning car has ever been offered for public sale.

To mark this unique event and the return of fans to F1’s first-ever venue, Formula 1 and RM Sotheby’s have created the ground-breaking concept to sell this incredible car live while it is being driven around the historic Silverstone circuit at speeds in excess of 150 mph; a unique auction set-up at one of the most iconic tracks in motorsport.

Being held on Hamilton’s home track and with a live audience planned for the Silverstone GP, race fans and registered bidders will be able to witness MP4- 25A take to the circuit at speed in all its former glory.

The availability of this particular example, Chassis no. 1 is an unrepeatable opportunity given the model’s scarcity. While client confidentiality precludes knowing exactly how many cars exist in private ownership, it’s believed to be only a scarce few. As such these examples remain highly coveted and largely in private hands, unlikely to be sold in the near future.

A man who has eclipsed all major records with no sign of slowing Lewis Hamilton has become a Global Icon that transcends the automotive world – currently the most dominant and talked about driver in Formula 1, but yet a gentleman competitor always, showing great deference to the giants that preceded him and who’s shoulders he stands upon as the face of the world’s biggest annual sporting series.

The McLaren MP4-25, powered by the Mercedes-Benz FO 108X 2.4-litre V-8 engine, proved to be a major improvement on its predecessor, in part due to the innovative “F-duct” incorporated into the 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 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.

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RM Sothebys