The dark blue Oracle Red Bull Racing overalls worn by three-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen over the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix weekend will be offered in the Bonhams | Cars Abu Dhabi Auction Online from 17 – 30 November. Driving his Red Bull RB19, Verstappen finished in 1st position at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix weekend in Zandvoort, in front of his home crowd, marking his 46th Grand Prix race victory. Signed by the World Champion with a Certificate of Authenticity from the Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula One Team, and estimated at £60,000 – £70,000, the overalls will be sold to benefit Red Bull’s Wings for Life charity. Verstappen is only the fifth driver in the sport’s history to win three consecutive championships, as well as joining an elite club of drivers who have won three or more World Championships.
“It’s a rare opportunity to offer Formula 1 racing overalls from such a globally renowned champion, especially when it comes from a race weekend that landed a victory in their home country – a triumph that holds a special place in the heart of any F1 driver,” commented James Garguilo, Specialist for Bonhams|Cars Automobilia Department.
Red Bull’s Wings for Life charity was founded in 2004 by Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz and the two-time motocross world champion Heinz Kinigadner after Heinz’s son Hannes suffered a spinal cord injury. The organization funds world class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe aimed at finding a cure for spinal cord injuries.
Emma Hind, CEO Wings for Life, commented, “Wings for Life are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Bonhams|Cars on this exclusive auction in line with the Abu Dhabi GP. Both Oracle Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen are huge supporters of Wings for Life, and this championship race suit will help raise vital funds for pioneering research projects that have and will continue to change people’s lives.”
The online sale runs in conjunction with On the Grid: The Abu Dhabi Auction, in an exclusive partnership with Bonhams|Cars and the Formula 1 Paddock Club
, taking place at the FORMULA 1® ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2023 on 25 November.
The 97-lot automobilia sale will include race-used helmets, F1 body panels, posters, signed pictures as well as replica gloves and helmets. Highlights include:
Alain Prost‘s 1984 race worn Dallas Grand Prix GPA helmet in his iconic design with marks and scratches from race wear, estimated at £10,000 – 12,000. An unforgettable race, the Dallas Grand Prix was a one-off event due to a number of heat-related issues which resulted in only 8 out of the 26 drivers making it across the finish line. Driving for McLaren, Prost was forced to retire on lap 56 after a collision with the wall resulted in a puncture.
Two of Valtteri Bottas’ helmets – one a 2020 AMG Mercedes Benz F1 signed helmet used during the Portugese Portimao and Italian Emilia Romagna race weekends, estimated at £11,000 – 15,000, and the other an Alfa Romeo F1 signed helmet used during the Inaugural 2022 Miami Grand Prix weekend in Friday’s practice session, estimated at £24,000 – 26,000.
A signed McLaren Mercedes race suit worn by Jenson Button during the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix where Button finished in 3rd place, estimated at £3,000 – 5,000.
A McLaren 620R Spider Bonnet signed by McLaren F1 drivers Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and CEO Zac Brown, estimated at £2,000 – 3,000. Proceeds from the sale of this lot will benefit ‘It’s Never You’ – a charity dedicated to supporting the parents of children with cancer.
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and collectables, collectors’ cars and a luxury division, which includes jewellery, designer fashion, watches, wine, and whisky. In 2021 and 2022, Bonhams made a number of important acquisitions which form the wider Bonhams network. These include: Bukowskis, Bruun Rasmussen, Bonhams Skinner and Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr. Top lots for 2022 included a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder (Sold for US$4,185,000), a pair of blue and white octagonal candlesticks (Sold for HK$30,453,00/ US$3,911,913), La femme en rouge au fond bleu by Chaïm Soutine (Sold for £1,842,300/ US$2,236,940), and a rare emerald and diamond Cartier bracelet (Sold for US$3,240,375).
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