Ayrton Senna’s Historic 1991 McLaren Goes Up For Auction, Could Fetch $15M
Ayrton Senna is one of the, if not the greatest Formula One drivers of all time. That was never more evident than during the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix when he wrestled his McLaren MP4/6-1 with a broken gearbox to victory. It would be his first-ever victory at his home track.
Senna finished 1991 as the youngest driver to ever win back-to-back Formula One championships. The title also made him the youngest three-time World Champion. Unfortunately, it was his final championship as he was tragically killed during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
Now, the car the helped cement Senna as one of the all-time greats is up for auction at RM Sotheby’s. The one-of-a-kind race car is expected to fetch between $12 and $15 million.
In addition to the other firsts this car achieved, it is also the first MP4/6 chassis raced by Senna. The 3.5-litre V-12 engine and six-speed manual gearbox produces 720 horsepower and reach up to 13,800 rpm. Senna’s 1991 McLaren was the last to win the World Championship with a manual gearbox and V-12 engine. It was also one of the last analog Formula One cars.
Ayrton Senna’s 1991 McLaren F1 car is a genuine piece of racing history
“To those watching the battle unfold at home, the memory is still vivid almost 35 years on,” the auction house writes.
“Families sat on the edge of their sofas peering at small, blurry sets through the living room gloom as Senna’s red and white Marlboro McLaren flashed in the grey rain, chasing rooster tails proof of the unnatural speed that the Brazilian had somehow managed to maintain.
“For Senna, every corner was a fight, the slow turns almost causing the highly-strung V-12 to stall, while in slower bends — without the help of engine braking — the McLaren simply wanted to carry straight on.
“What followed over the final 2.7 miles of the Brazilian Grand Prix was nothing short of superhuman — a transcendent performance from one of the greatest drivers to ever grace the racetrack.”
According to RM Sotheby’s, McLaren kept Ayrton Senna’s 1991 McLaren MP4/6-1 for almost 30 years. They fully recommissioned the car to race readiness selling it in 2020. The new owner will receive a Certificate of Authenticity from McLaren.
