F1 Cars Driven by Legends Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Niki Lauda That Sold at Auction

The collector car market continues to place unprecedented value on automotive provenance, particularly when backed by the pedigree of Formula 1 royalty. In a headline-grabbing sale in London, a red Honda NSX once owned by three-time World Champion Ayrton Senna sold for £871,250 (roughly $1.17 million USD) at RM Sotheby’s The London Auction. The sale took place more than three decades after the Brazilian icon drove the machine during the height of his Grand Prix career. Yet, Senna’s celebrated Japanese sports car is far from the only high-performance road car with an illustrious Formula 1 lineage to capture massive sums under the hammer.

Across decades of Grand Prix history, drivers have secured, customized, and preserved elite road cars from marques such as Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin. From early contractual gifts to ultra-exclusive modern hypercars, these vehicles offer an extraordinary glimpse into what motorsport legends choose to drive away from the circuit.

Senna’s Historic Honda NSX: From Suzuka to the Auction Block

Ayrton Senna’s connection with Honda originated during his stint at Lotus in 1987 before expanding exponentially when he joined the Honda-powered McLaren outfit in 1988, capturing his maiden World Championship that same season. Famously captured on video working the pedals of an NSX around Suzuka in loafers and white socks, Senna’s involvement extended far beyond mere promotional duties; he actively provided key development feedback that refined the production supercar.

By early 1991, as a two-time World Champion, Senna received personal use of an NSX via an agreement with Honda. Registered in Portugal in March 1991, this red example was kept in Lisbon and delivered to Senna whenever he spent time in the country. He drove it to the 1991 Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril, showcased it in the 1992 documentary Ayrton Senna: Racing Is In My Blood, and earned it the nickname ‘hosepipe’ car after being photographed washing it himself. More than 35 years following its original registration, the NSX drew international attention to realize £871,250 at RM Sotheby’s.

Prancing Horses: Niki Lauda and Michael Schumacher

Niki Lauda’s 1973 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2

Upon joining Ferrari ahead of the 1974 season, Austrian racer Niki Lauda received a road car from the Maranello factory: a 1973 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 bodied by Pininfarina. Finished in December 1973, it marked the beginning of a stint that yielded two World Championships for Lauda. Originally painted silver (Argento Metallizzato) on Italian tourist plates, Lauda transported the 4.4-litre V12 machine to Austria. However, steep import costs forced him to part with it in 1975. The car subsequently changed hands among several Austrian collectors, received a metallic red repaint in the 1980s, and was recommissioned to roadworthy condition in 2025. Offered at RM Sotheby’s Munich sale, Lauda’s former grand tourer reached €201,250.

Michael Schumacher’s Autographed Ferrari F355 GTS

The Ferrari association also carried over to seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher. A 1996 Ferrari F355 GTS once owned by Schumacher previously crossed the auction block, distinguished not only by its provenance from the German champion’s early years at Ferrari, but also by a massive personal signature penned by Schumacher across the back of the driver’s seat.

Modern Hypercars: Ricciardo’s Valkyrie, Hamilton’s McLaren F1, and Alonso’s Garage

Daniel Ricciardo’s 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie

Following his departure from Formula 1, Daniel Ricciardo parted with his 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie. Regarded as “one of the greatest hypercars of recent years”, the Adrian Newey-designed hypercar originated from a technical partnership between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing during Ricciardo’s time with the team. Ricciardo commissioned chassis number 089 in ‘Badger Blue’—a nod to his ‘Honey Badger’ moniker.

Reflecting on the machine’s immense performance, Ricciardo remarked: “It feels like a race car and it looks like a race car,” said Ricciardo. “I’m not used to having a roof over my head, but that’s the only thing that really feels different, otherwise, it’s a pretty straight-up race car.” Having covered just 160 km within his private collection, the rare coupe—one of only 150 built—sold for €2.12 million through Broad Arrow Auctions at the Zoute Concours Auction.

Lewis Hamilton and the Elusive Chassis #044

Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton retains a standout personal fleet, having recently arrived at Monza in a recommissioned Ferrari F40 bearing the number 44 stamped on its engine block. More famously, Hamilton is widely reported to be the owner of McLaren F1 chassis 044, which sold for $15.62 million at the Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction in 2017. Later spotted driving the silver supercar in California, Hamilton’s car carries substantial historical weight: it was the 37th road-going McLaren F1 constructed, the first imported into the United States, and the first made road-legal there.

Fernando Alonso’s Record-Setting Disposals

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso has continuously reshaped his collection, which features a rare aluminum-bodied Bugatti Veyron alongside notable sales. In 2023, Alonso consigned his 2002 Ferrari Enzo Chassis No. 1, having driven it just 4,800 km, leading to a winning bid of £4,500,000. Alonso also sold his 2022 McLaren Elva—specifically chassis 114 out of 149, referencing his racing number 14—complete with an agreement to hand over the keys to the winning bidder in person.

Why This Matters

The premium paid for cars tied directly to Formula 1 drivers illustrates a wider surge in provenance-driven automotive collecting. While rare hypercars such as the Aston Martin Valkyrie and Ferrari Enzo command seven-figure sums based on engineering alone, direct association with legends like Senna, Lauda, or Alonso introduces an intangible historical asset that elevates valuations well above market averages.

As motorsport heritage and road-car engineering continue to blur—epitomized by projects developed alongside technical leads like Adrian Newey—the bridge between the Grand Prix paddock and high-end auctions remains stronger than ever, turning personal road cars into blue-chip automotive artifacts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Ayrton Senna’s Honda NSX sell for?

Ayrton Senna’s personal 1991 red Honda NSX sold at RM Sotheby’s The London Auction for £871,250 (approximately $1,169,000 USD).

What is special about Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren F1?

Beyond matching Hamilton’s Formula 1 racing number 44, McLaren F1 chassis 044 was the 37th road-going example built, the first McLaren F1 imported into the United States, and the first to achieve road-legal status in the country.

Which road cars has Fernando Alonso sold at auction?

Fernando Alonso notably sold his 2002 Ferrari Enzo Chassis No. 1 for £4,500,000 in 2023, as well as his limited-edition 2022 McLaren Elva (chassis number 114).