This weekend marks the 15th edition of the FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX, which will showcase an exclusive auction featuring over 30 of the world’s most coveted collector cars, including F1® race cars and state-of-the-art supercars. The “On the Grid: The Abu Dhabi Auction” will be held on Saturday, November 25th on the iconic start-finish line. Car enthusiasts around the world can stream the auction on Bonhamscars.com. The auction is held by Bonhams|Cars in partnership with Formula 1 Paddock Club™, and sales are expected to exceed US$20 million.
The impressive collection of cars has been on public display at Yas Marina Circuit all weekend in a custom-built, state-of-the-art gallery that is only 100 meters from the track, as well as in fan zones and within the Paddock.
The auction will feature some of the most iconic F1® cars that have not only raced but also triumphed in Grands Prix and are therefore a significant part of the memories of countless global fans who have avidly followed the sport.
One of the highlights of the auction is Mario Andretti’s 1978 John Player Special Lotus-Cosworth Type 79, also known as the “Black Beauty.” This is the car in which the American racing legend claimed his Formula 1® World Drivers’ Championship title, and it is now up for auction with an estimate of US$6.5 – 9.5 million. This is an opportunity to own an F1® car from an American World Champion.
Another exciting opportunity to acquire an F1® race car is with Kimi Räikkönen’s McLaren MP4/21, which is expected to sell for an estimate of US$2.5 – 3.5 million. Räikkönen achieved two podium finishes with the McLaren, but in Monaco, the engine overheated, and Räikkönen is famously remembered for heading back to his yacht instead of the team’s paddock.
Other notable auction items include Fernando Alonso’s 2022 custom-specification McLaren Elva, which he drove as a Formula 1® World Champion Driver, a uniquely specified Porsche 911 RSR, and a 2010 Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 Super Veloce.
