Lewis Hamilton’s historic Mercedes F1 car up for auction is expected to fetch $15 Million

The Iconic Car in Which Hamilton Secured His First Mercedes Victory at Hungarian Grand Prix

An iconic piece of Formula 1 history is set to go under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s Las Vegas auction on November 17. The star of the show is the very first Mercedes Formula 1 car that seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton claimed a race victory in, specifically at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2013.

This exceptional car, the W04, holds a special place in Hamilton’s career as it was the machine in which he drove for 14 out of 19 races during the 2013 F1 season. This was the year before the onset of the hybrid era that saw Hamilton and Mercedes dominate the sport.

RM Sotheby’s estimates that this historic car will sell for an impressive sum, with a price range of $10 million to $15 million. What adds to its allure is the fact that it remains the only modern-era Mercedes F1 car not owned by the Mercedes team, Toto Wolff, or Lewis Hamilton himself. Moreover, the car retains its original 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine and is fully functional.

Shelby Myers, the global head of private sales for RM Sotheby’s, described the car’s significance, stating, “This was the car that Hamilton kicked his career off with. There’s this one Lewis Hamilton Mercedes in private hands, so you’re talking about a unicorn of a car. You’re not buying another one unless you go to Lewis Hamilton or Toto Wolff.”

In addition to Hamilton’s victory in Hungary, the car also secured four podium finishes that season and propelled Hamilton to a fourth-place finish in the championship standings. It marked Hamilton’s debut year with Mercedes, marking the beginning of a highly successful and dominant partnership between the driver and the team.

Lewis Hamilton’s impact on Formula 1 extends beyond racing success, as he has played a pivotal role in transforming the sport in terms of diversity, culture, and fashion. Myers emphasized Hamilton’s influence, saying, “In the contemporary era, Lewis Hamilton is by far the most influential driver, not just from a racing perspective, but what he’s done to transform the sport in terms of race and culture and fashion. He’s not just a successful driver; he’s a personality, and I think his reputation will live on as someone who materially changed the sport for the better.”