Senna's McLaren F1 car up for auction

RM Sotheby's, which will auction the McLaren MP4/6 chassis number 1, has estimated its value at between $12 million and $15 million, or €11 million to €13 million. This would make it one of the most expensive modern Formula 1 cars. Last May, in Monaco, on the sidelines of the Grand Prix, RM Sotheby's sold a Ferrari F2001 for €15.98 million, the car in which Michael Schumacher won another world championship in 2001.

All the ingredients were there for a high bid. At the wheel of the McLaren MP4/6, Brazilian Ayrton Senna won his home Grand Prix for the first time, and what's more, three days after his birthday, on March 24, 1991. This victory would allow the Brazilian driver to clinch his third world title at the end of the season. The victory at the Interlagos circuit was a long time coming. As is often the case for the Brazilian Grand Prix, the race was marked by difficult weather conditions. From the start, Senna led the pack and gradually built up a small lead, putting some distance between himself and Nigel Mansell's Williams. But disaster struck: on lap 46, the McLaren's gearbox began to show signs of weakness. The Brazilian lost third gear, then fifth. The Briton began to close the gap on the leading McLaren. When Senna lost fourth gear, Mansell closed in on him. To add to the suspense, it started raining again on the circuit. Soon, Mansell would have closed the gap to Senna, gaining five seconds per lap. But then, Mansell suffered a mechanical failure that forced him to retire. Senna wasn't out of the woods yet. With his gearbox stuck in sixth gear, he managed to avoid all the pitfalls of the slippery track, preventing him from stalling in the tight corners and holding off Riccardo Patrese's charge. He finally crossed the finish line victorious, but only after a superhuman effort. On the podium, he struggled to lift his trophy.

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It was the McLaren M4/6 with its Honda V12 engine that enabled this feat, which RM Sotheby's will sell in Dubai on December 11th. Having remained in McLaren's hands for over 30 years, this Formula 1 car has been completely overhauled by the specialist Paul Lanzante Ltd (McLaren Petersfield).