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Ayrton Senna’s 1991 McLaren F1 car could sell for up to $15 million

The McLaren that gave Senna his first Brazil win goes to auction

By Bruce Brown Nov 3, 2025 2:52 AM

Ayrton Senna's 1991 McLaren right-front three-quarter view. — Tim Scott Fluid Images / RM Sotheby’s

The 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix on November 9 in São Paulo, Brazil is on the scene of one of the greatest F1 races ever, and a piece of Formula 1 history is about to cross the auction block. The 1991 McLaren MP4/6 that carried Ayrton Senna to his first home victory at Interlagos is expected to sell for between $12 million and $15 million. The car, chassis MP4/6-1, is one of the most significant McLaren machines. Senna’s win was the last Formula 1 title won by a V12-powered car with a manual gearbox.

Held by McLaren for nearly three decades before being sold to a private owner in 2020, the car has been fully recommissioned by McLaren Heritage. It will be offered with a McLaren Certificate of Authenticity and all original race-starting equipment.

Senna’s historic 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix

The car’s fame is tied to one of Senna’s most legendary performances. During the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix, Senna battled both gearbox failure and a late rain shower to secure his long-awaited home win. With only sixth gear left working, he held off Riccardo Patrese to take the checkered flag just 2.991 seconds ahead, collapsing from exhaustion after crossing the line.

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The win was Senna’s first on home soil after seven attempts and helped seal his third and final Formula 1 World Championship that year. The MP4/6 itself ran only that single race before being retired from active competition, preserved as a symbol of one of the sport’s defining moments.

Last year’s 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix was another memorable race at Intelagos when Max Verstappen won in heavy rain, after starting in 17th position.

The car behind the legend

Designed under the direction of Gordon Murray and Neil Oatley, the MP4/6 is powered by a 3.5-liter Honda V12 producing 720 horsepower and capable of revving to 13,800 rpm. The MP4/6 went on to score eight Grand Prix victories and secure both Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships for McLaren in 1991.

Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. and offered directly from its sole private owner, chassis MP4/6-1 remains the only McLaren that delivered Senna his first Brazilian Grand Prix win. The MP4/6 auction is by sealed bid at RM Sotheby’s.

Bruce Brown Contributing Editor As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce… Read Full Bio

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