One of Ayrton Senna’s most important race cars is about to go up for grabs.
The 1991 McLaren MP4/6 that the late F1 legend drove to victory at that season’s Brazilian Grand Prix will be auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s next month. Considering the role the car played in one of the most iconic moments of Senna’s illustrious career, it’s little surprise that the vehicle is expected to fetch an eight-figure gavel price.
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The Brazilian had already won two driver’s championships going into the 1991 F1 season, but victory in his home country eluded him. That changed on March 24, when Senna, in MP4/6, was leading a rain-soaked race at Interlagos with 10 laps to go. But then, with victory in sight, his gearbox failed, and by the final lap his lead had shrunk to just four seconds. Somehow, with only sixth gear at his disposal for the final 2.7 miles, Senna was able to fend off the field that included Riccardo Patrese and Alain Prost and win by three seconds. The driver was so spent following the ordeal that he had to be pulled from his car by his team and driven to the podium. The ordeal proved to be worth it, though, as Senna would win his third driver’s championship, and second in a row, at season’s end.
Ayrton Senna’s 1991 McLaren MP4/6 Formula 1 car in profile
The winning car was retired following the race and returned to the McLaren factory, where it would remain until it was acquired by the seller in 2020. Because of this, the car still wears the same iconic red and white Marlboro livery that it did on race day. The MP4/6 was one of the last analog F1 cars, along with the last that featured a V-12 to win a championship. The 3.5-liter mill made 725 hp brand new (and 780 hp by season’s end) and could rev up to 13,800 rpm.
Having spent so much time at the McLaren factory, it’s little surprise that the car has been well taken care of over the year, including being returned to race readiness prior to the initial sale. It comes with a McLaren certificate of authenticity and was recently inspected and run by marque specialist Lanzante Limited.
Ayrton Senna in the McLaren MP4/6 Formula 1 car at the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix
Are you already salivating over the opportunity to buy one of the most famous F1 cars in modern history? Senna’s MP4/6 is being sold through RM Sotheby’s latest Sealed auction, “Forever, Senna,” which will run from Monday, Dec. 8, to Thursday, Dec. 11. The auction house has high hopes for the car, estimating that it will sell for between $12 million and $15 million.
Click here for more photos of Ayrton Senna’s 1991 McLaren MP4/6 Formula 1 car.
Ayrton Senna’s 1991 McLaren MP4/6 Formula 1 Car in Photos
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