Estimate almost seems too low. (Although could you really even drive it?)
Race cars go up for auction all the time, but this isn't just any race car: It’s the 2010 McLaren-Mercedes MP4-25 driven by Lewis Hamilton to win the 2010 Turkish Gran Prix.
Noted as being certified by McLaren and the first “Lewis Hamilton GP-winning car to come to market,” the MP4-25 is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter V8 engine backed by a seven-speed transmission. Power specifications are not mentioned, though the redline is said to be somewhere in the range of 18,000 rpm.
Before you smash that piggy bank, however, RM Sotheby’s expects the McLaren to sell for $5,000,000-$7,000,000. If you have that kind of cash, you should totally buy it and bring it to Ultimate Track Car Challenge or even the $2000 Challenge. (You'd have to run for exhibition at the $2000 Challenge, though.)
Check out the listing for yourself here.
Estimate almost seems too low. (Although could you really even drive it?)
The Lewis Hamilton merch I want VS the Lewis Hamilton merch I can (sort of) afford:
David S. Wallens said:Estimate almost seems too low. (Although could you really even drive it?)
The V8s are much simpler than the turbo hybrid engines, but my understanding is that they still require a lot of external support equipment, software, and expertise. I suspect the only place to get that would be from McLaren and Mercedes.
Interesting that it's got Avon tires on it in the photo rather than the Bridgestones that were used that year.
Kinda cool, but yeah, actually running it will be a challenge. Modern F1 cars are cool, but with all the tech/support needed just to start one, I doubt you'll see many of them competing in events. I wonder where the inflection point is that an F1 car can't be easily made to compete. Mid 90's?
-Rob
how does a bastard, orphan, son of a wh.... wait, wrong hamilton.
When you want to buy art, but want to have it smell a very specific way.
In reply to rob_lewis :
Regarding F1 cars that you can run without paying Ferrari to continue to tech it via Corse Cliente, I always assumed it was earlier than that which is why all the vintage races end with 70s cars. Those turbo 4s in the 80s were replaced weekly if not daily
I suspect the "amateur" F1 car stopped with the demise of the Cosworth. Modern ones - including this one - need to be pre-heated just to open up the tolerances. And these weren't built to last as long as the hybrids, I suspect a 2021 would be easier to live with.
That said, there's a team that campaigns a real Audi R8 in HSC and they're basically F1 cars that have to last for 24 hour races. You just have to hire the right people.
I thought he made watches?
No way it ever turns a wheel under its own power again unless somebody hires the entire support team and said team can get their hands on likely obsolete equipment.
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