The Most Expensive Formula 1 Cars Ever Sold

by Dara Morgan

The Most Expensive Formula 1 Cars Ever Sold

6 Dec 2024

Get ready to rev up your engines, because the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is just around the corner. Set over 58 laps of the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island, the finale takes place on Sunday, December 8. The competition is fierce, with McLaren’s Lando Norris tipped to take the final pole of the season at Abu Dhabi, narrowly edging out Red Bull’s reigning world champion Max Verstappen. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc remains firmly in contention, making it a tantalising three-way battle.

F1 has always been a magnet for awe-inspiring vehicles. While many of us dream of owning even a miniature die-cast replica, some lucky (and wildly wealthy) individuals have gone a step further, paying millions to own pieces of automotive and motorsport history.

From championship-winning Ferraris to iconic McLarens and ground-breaking Mercedes, we have rounded up the nine most expensive F1 cars ever sold at auction. Consider this your ultimate list of dream machines — perfect for when your piggy bank looks less like a pig and more like an entire farm.

9. 1993 McLaren MP4-8A – $5,009,266

Auction House: Bonhams

Location: Monaco (2018)

Ayrton Senna’s car from his sixth Monaco GP victory. It is as if this machine radiates genius — and makes your wallet weep.

Source: wikimedia.org

8. 1998 Ferrari F300 – $6,220,000

Auction House: RM Sotheby’s

Location: Monterey (2022)

With four GP victories to its name, this Schumacher-driven beauty has ‘winner’ written all over it — right down to the price tag.

Source: wikimedia.org

7. 2002 Ferrari F2002 – $6,643,750

Auction House: RM Sotheby’s

Location: Abu Dhabi (2019)

Another Michael Schumacher marvel, this car powered him to his fifth championship with three Grand Prix victories. A machine as flawless as his racing.

Source: wikimedia.org

6. 2010 McLaren MP4-25A – $6,741,384

Auction House: RM Sotheby’s

Location: Silverstone (2021)

The very first Hamilton race-winning car ever sold at auction. Imagine having the origin story of an F1 legend sitting in your garage.

Source: wikimedia.org

5. 2001 Ferrari F2001 – $7,504,000

Auction House: RM Sotheby’s

Location: New York (2017)

Famous for Michael Schumacher’s fifth Monaco GP victory, this machine was practically made for glory — and mighty bank accounts.

Source: wikimedia.org

4. 1979 Ferrari 312 T4 – $8,250,800

Auction House: RM Sotheby’s

Location: Monaco (2024)

This piece of history boasts three Jody Scheckter GP wins and is the last F1 championship-winning car crafted during Enzo Ferrari’s lifetime. Talk about a legacy.

Source: wikimedia.org

3. 2003 Ferrari F2003-GA – $14,880,000

Auction House: RM Sotheby’s

Location: Geneva (2022)

The car that propelled Michael Schumacher to his sixth championship, securing five Grand Prix victories. Owning it? That is the Ferrari equivalent of wearing the crown jewels.

Source: wikimedia.org

2. 2013 Mercedes-AMG Petronas W04-04 – $18,815,000

Auction House: RM Sotheby’s

Location: Las Vegas (2023)

This is the car that saw Lewis Hamilton claim his first Grand Prix victory for Mercedes. It turns out you can indeed put a price on greatness — and it is about the cost of a private island.

Source: wikimedia.org

1. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R – $29,650,000

Auction House: Bonhams

Location: Goodwood Festival of Speed (2013)

Driven by the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio, this car set the gold standard for F1 excellence — and apparently for auction block records, too. The price tag could easily fund your own F1 team for a few seasons.

Photo: Dave Adams

by Dara Morgan