F1 Legends' McLarens to Cross the Block at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
In an unprecedented pairing of motorsport prestige and supercar excellence, Broad Arrow Auctions will offer two McLaren MP4-12C models formerly owned by Formula One World Champions Sir Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button at the inaugural Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este Auction this May.
Each car represents a cornerstone of McLaren Automotive's modern era and a direct connection to the championship-winning insights of two of the sport's most revered drivers. The MP4-12C marked McLaren's return to production supercars following the legacy of the F1, with Hamilton and Button providing critical feedback during its development.
Hamilton's Volcano Red MP4-12C, chassis number SBM11AAB4CW000132, was delivered to the seven-time World Champion in 2012. With just 8,500 kilometers and an interior finished in Harissa Red leather and Black Alcantara, the car features numerous bespoke options including carbon fiber exterior accents and a rare swipe-to-open door function. Configured personally at McLaren's Woking headquarters, it reflects Hamilton's vision of a driver-focused supercar.
Meanwhile, Button's Elite Pearl White MP4-12C, chassis SBM11AAB4CW000764, carries just 12,000 kilometers and comes with a right-hand drive configuration. Originally specified in consultation with McLaren Monaco, it boasts Harissa Red and Black leather, carbon interior trim, and the understated elegance befitting the 2009 World Champion.
'These are not just any MP4-12Cs,' said Joe Twyman, Broad Arrow's EMEA VP of Sales. 'They are the personal cars of two Formula One icons who helped shape the model itself.'
Offered with estimates of €175,000–€225,000 for Hamilton's car and €125,000–€150,000 for Button's, these MP4-12Cs fuse automotive innovation with motorsport history—an irresistible opportunity for collectors at the famed Villa d'Este auction.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fred Vasseur and Ferrari have a ‘clear target' for the 2025 F1 season
Ferrari rocked the Formula 1 world before the start of the 2024 season, reaching an agreement on a contract with seven-time Drivers' Champion Lewis Hamilton to begin driving for the team in 2025. But while Hamilton arrived in Maranello to much fanfare, the results have yet to follow. The living legend has yet to secure a grand prix podium this year, and aside from a win in the F1 Sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix and a podium in the F1 Sprint at the Miami Grand Prix, the results have not matched the hype. Ferrari is locked in a tight battle with Mercedes, Hamilton's former team, for second in the Constructors' Championship race, but they are miles behind first-place McLaren. And last weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix was a difficult result for the team. While Charles Leclerc started on pole, his pace in the later stages of the race faded as his SF-25 had suffered chassis damage, and he finished a frustrating fourth. As for Hamilton, he qualified 12th and finished 12th, and sounded like a driver who could not wait for the Summer Shutdown to arrive. In a video interview with the official F1 channel, Team Principal Frederic Vasseur addressed the team's present, and future. 'I'm really convinced that it takes time,' said Vasseur. 'It takes time, not just at Ferrari, but everywhere. 'If you look at any good story in F1 – when Christian [Horner] joined Red Bull or Jean [Todt] joined Ferrari before – all these good success stories took time before the first win. Also, because that resource system in the paddock, you need a couple of years to build up a team, to accrue people that you want to have with you. And then it also takes time to work together.' Vasseur's own tenure with the team came under pressure earlier this season, when reports in Italian media surfaced that his position was under threat at Ferrari. The team put those rumors to rest ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, as Vasseur put pen to paper on a new multi-year deal. Vasseur called the move a 'good step' for the 'stability' of the team. 'It's a good step,' he said. 'We had a couple of discussions. There were some rumors in the press, the last couple of weeks. I think it's not easy for the stability and mood of the team, but now it is behind us. 'It's important, it's a good step that we have to be ready for the last part of the season. That we are fighting for P2 in the championship with Mercedes and Red Bull and we want to win some races before the end.' Winning races in 2025, and starting 2026 on the front foot, is the target for the team. 'We want to be very agile in Formula 1, but the reality is that we have a lot of inertia. We are pushing for this. We have a clear target, a clear goal. Everybody in the company is aligned in this project and pushing in the same direction. This is probably the best feeling, when you have a goal and everybody is convinced we can achieve it,' described the Ferrari boss. 'As usual in a season, you have pros and cons. You can see the glass half-empty or half-full. 'It's true that in the championship, we are in front of Red Bull and we're in front of Mercedes, but we are also a bit far away off McLaren. But I think, overall, we're improving. Improving on the methodology, on the approach, on the process. Sometimes it's not visible on track, day-by-day, but I think overall we're making steps forward. It's important for us to remain P2 [in the Constructors' Championship] and to win more races until the end.' However, the incoming regulation change gives Ferrari a chance to begin next year at the front of the grid. 'The 2026 project, it's a huge challenge that we have to be all fully aligned together to manage it,' said Vasseur. 'It's not a secret that Ferrari want to win again. We have the target and the goal is very, very clear. We will do everything to achieve it. We all want to win the championship. We've made a decent step forward everywhere, but now we need perhaps a bit more time to put everything together. The 2026 challenge is a good opportunity. 'We made a step, probably, in Spa. Now, we have to understand a bit more the new suspension and to be able to fine-tune it. But we are now fully focused on 2026. That means we need to get the best from what we have. I still want to win races this season, but the main part of the focus is on 2026.'
Newsweek
17 hours ago
- Newsweek
Lewis Hamilton Exposes Inequality in F1 Employee Salaries, Urges Reform
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Ferrari Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton believes the sport is yet to evolve in many areas, especially those surrounding employee salaries, driver contract terms, and the lack of diversity in the paddock. Hamilton has been known to lead several initiatives outside of F1, especially those related to social issues. Now, he has addressed topics that need urgent attention in the sport. The subject came up in an interview with Belgian publication RTBF during the race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, where the seven-time world champion was asked if he was looking forward to leaving behind a legacy in the premier class of motorsport when he retired. Hamilton's response was quoted by Planet F1, which stated: "Today, I think differently. There have been so many great drivers; every era has always had its No. 1, so it matters less to me today. What I focus on is what I can contribute concretely." Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Ferrari walks in the paddock during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Ferrari walks in the paddock during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, then went on to highlight the areas in F1 that need work, which are not only limited to employee earnings and diversity in the sport, but also smaller operational aspects where even a small change could bring about a big difference. He added: "I also think that the F1 system needs to evolve. Drivers are bound by contracts that prevent them from talking to other teams. They can't even talk to other teams. "F1 has grown enormously, with revenues skyrocketing from £700 million to over £3 billion. This growth is not reflected in all employees' salaries, which have not kept pace with the business." He added: "There is still a significant lack of diversity in the paddock, and many things still need to change in our sport. In the past, drivers like Niki Lauda pushed for greater safety. Today, we need to create more access and more opportunities. "When we visit all these countries, we must avoid leaving a mess behind. There should be upcycling and a proper recycling system. Every weekend, food is wasted. Meanwhile, people are dying of hunger. We can work with food banks to redistribute it. "There are so many positive things we can do here. Not everything has been done yet, and that's normal. It's not about being perfect, but about making progress every year." Hamilton then opened up on the influence he has on people who make key decisions, stressing that he was not in F1 to only "shut up and drive," but also to have "difficult conversations" that could bring about a positive change. He said: "I think that's my role; I can get into the right rooms. Sometimes people tell me, 'Shut up and drive.' But that's not me. I drive, yes, but I also do more. I can meet with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom or even a president if necessary. I can enter important rooms and have difficult conversations. That's just how I am, and that's how I'll continue to be."
Newsweek
17 hours ago
- Newsweek
Lewis Hamilton Reveals Honest Ferrari Verdict After Bombshell 2025 Switch
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Lewis Hamilton has given his honest first impression of working at Ferrari following his move to the iconic Formula One team ahead of the 2025 season. Hamilton revealed that he was "expecting energy" at Ferrari's Maranello base, given the passion that the team is known for. But did the team meet his expectations? Despite a long and successful 12-year career at Mercedes, where Hamilton celebrated eight team championships and six drivers' titles, the seven-time world champion decided to switch teams, seeking his eighth title with the legendary outfit. The presence of his former GP2 team boss, Fred Vasseur, who is now the team principal at Ferrari, is said to have played a major role in Hamilton's decision to make the big switch. But since his move to the red team, Hamilton has been struggling to adapt to the Ferrari SF-25 F1 car, and as a result, he has yet to win a race or secure a podium finish. The last race at the Hungaroring saw him start the race in P12. Failing to gain positions, Hamilton finished in the same place. Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Ferrari looks on in the paddock during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 31, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Ferrari looks on in the paddock during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 31, 2025 in Barcelona, asked recently about his Ferrari onboarding and if the team met his expectations, Hamilton gave a positive reply. He told French publication RTBF Actus: "It's not at all what I expected, it 's more intense in so many areas. I didn't expect that. I didn't think the team at the factory would be so impressive. I was expecting energy, but this... it's even more intense than I imagined. "There's a huge sense of pride within this team. During a shoot last week, I had a big smile on my face the whole time. I love being in red! I look at the badge and I think, 'Wow!' It's Ferrari, I can't believe it. I still have to pinch myself, I think, 'I'm driving for Ferrari.' It's phenomenal." Following the qualifying session in Hungary, where he was knocked out in Q2, Hamilton appeared low before the media and went on to state that he was "useless" and that Ferrari should look for another driver. When Vasseur was asked if he was going to motivate the Briton, he said: "I don't need to motivate him. Honestly, he's frustrated, but not demotivated. You know, it's a completely different story. I can perfectly understand the situation. Sometimes you are making comments on what the driver is saying in the car, but if you put the microphone on some other sportsmen in football and so, I'm not sure that it would be much better. "They are in the performance, and sometimes they are making comments, even when they jump out of the car. I can understand the frustration, but we are all frustrated. And sometimes if you ask me, I can't say this, I will go to the stewards [for swearing]! "But sometimes just after the race or just after the quali [qualifying], you are very disappointed and the first reaction is harsh. But we all know that we are pushing in the same direction."
