The Official Auction of the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Wynn Las Vegas concluded with over $59.7M in sales. The 2013 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 W04, Sir Lewis Hamilton’s first victorious Mercedes, set a record as the most valuable modern Formula One car ever sold.
LAS VEGAS, NV – November 27, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Projected to be “the biggest event in the world in 2023” by its organizers, last weekend’s Formula One race was the perfect home for the spectacle that was the Official Auction of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Bidders were treated to an awe-inspiring theatrical presentation at Wynn Las Vegas’ Awakening Theater, a true “one-of-a-kind” auction which saw $59,704,685 in total sales, with an 87% sell-through rate.
In collaboration with Wynn Las Vegas, the RM Sotheby’s team worked tirelessly to create something truly extraordinary for the race week in Las Vegas, a challenging feat amidst a plethora of high-quality events. Our efforts culminated in a remarkable auction at the Awakening Theater, showcasing exceptional offerings, including Sir Lewis Hamilton’s first race-winning Mercedes F1 car. This vehicle, now recognized as the most valuable modern Formula One car ever sold, realized an astounding $18,815,000 and was truly the centerpiece of the sale. Achieving over $59.7 million in sales, our auction not only set records but also perfectly complemented the electrifying atmosphere that was the Las Vegas Grand Prix. As we move forward, RM Sotheby’s is committed to continuing our legacy of innovation and excellence in the auction space.” – Bryon Madsen, President of RM Sotheby’s.
“While the Awakening Theater is no stranger to visual spectacle, Friday’s auction showcased the dynamic capabilities of the theater. From a celebrated emcee to rare, history-making cars, the RM Sotheby’s Official Auction was the perfect complement to Wynn’s Ultimate Race Week.” – Steve Weitman, President of Wynn Las Vegas.
Highlights
After making an appearance in The Netflix Cup earlier in the week, the fan favorite 2013 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 W04—the first Mercedes-AMG Petronas team car driven to victory by Formula One champion Sir Lewis Hamilton and the only car to be sold outside of the Mercedes organization—realized an outstanding $18,815,000. After a hotly contested bidding war, this seminal piece in the story of the winningest Formula One driver of all time now stands as the most valuable Formula One car of the modern era ever sold.
Another highly anticipated lot was the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, the breathtaking open-top variant of the homologation special responsible for Stuttgart’s dominant back-to-back late-1990s FIA GT Championships. The third of only six examples built and displaying extremely low mileage, chassis 000034 saw an impressive $10,235,000.
And lastly, making its auction debut, Tom Brady’s Game-Worn and Signed Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jersey from his final game in the NFL took center stage, achieving $1.4 million—setting a new record for any football jersey at auction. Donning this white home jersey during the NFC Wildcard Playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys, Tom Brady would end a legendary and prolific 23-season career in the NFL.
