This legendary Mercedes becomes the most expensive F1 car EVER after sale
09:00, 02 Feb 2025
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I am a passionate and knowledgeable Formula 1 fan who has watched the sport since age five, watching every single race. Having karted competitively throughout my teens, I understand what it takes to be a racing driver, and every aspect of motorsports fascinates me. I am now studying sports journalism at the University of Gloucestershire with the hopes of one day landing a dream role in motorsport. As well as English, I speak Spanish fluently after living there for some time when I was younger.
A 1954 championship-winning Mercedes has sold for over €50 million at auction, becoming the most expensive Formula 1 car ever. Driven by legends Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss, the W196R sold for a breathtaking £42.76 million. (€51.155 million)
This marks only the second time a W196R has ever been sold. The "Streamliner" version featured enclosed bodywork over the open wheels and a longer wheelbase, designed to enhance performance on low-downforce circuits.
The chassis, once driven by Fangio to victory at the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix, was later handed over to Moss for the Monza race that same year. Competing on the legendary 10-kilometer banked circuit, now absent from Formula 1, the car set a remarkable new record for F1 sales at auction.
It was the first-ever Stromlinienwagen or "Streamliner" chassis to be offered for private sale. That particular car had been on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum since 1965, following its donation by Mercedes. The sale was handled by renowned auction house RM Sotheby’s, which later confirmed the final price of €51,155,000 on its website.
The Mercedes W196R in pictures:
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