Ayrton Senna’s iconic helmet sells for R$3.4 million, exceeding estimate By Thiago Lemos
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On Monday, July 8, it was reported that a symbolic Ayrton Senna helmet was sold for a much higher price than expected in an auction that took place during the weekend of this year’s British Grand Prix. The item reached 500 thousand pounds, which corresponds to R$3.46 million at the current price. This amount contrasted sharply with the auction company’s initial forecast, which estimated the sale to be between 80 and 120 thousand pounds, that is, from R$553 thousand to R$830 thousand.
The piece, which was sold during this year’s British Grand Prix weekend, dates back to 1992, a time when Ayrton Senna was racing for the McLaren team. The legendary Brazilian driver used the hull not only in the Silverstone race, but also in the German and Hungarian GPs, taking victory in the latter.
The authenticity of the helmet, manufactured by the Shoei brand, was officially guaranteed by a certificate issued by McLaren, the team for which Senna raced. According to the item’s description, the piece displays “extensive signs of use during racing”, including small stone impacts and other distinctive marks, which attest to its history on the track.
1992 found Senna as the reigning Formula 1 champion, having won the title the previous season. The three races in which the Brazilian wore the auctioned helmet had varying outcomes. At the Silverstone Grand Prix, Ayrton started from third position and remained in fourth place until the 52nd lap, when he had to retire from the race due to a gearbox failure.
At the German GP, the driver once again started the race in third place, however, this time, he managed to finish the race in second place. That race was won by Nigel Mansell, with Michael Schumacher completing the podium in third place. It is noteworthy that this was the only Formula 1 Grand Prix in which these three motorsport icons were on the podium together.
Finally, in Hungary, Senna again started third, but quickly overtook Mansell at the start of the race and benefited from Riccardo Patrese’s retirement to secure victory at the Hungaroring circuit. This was the second of a total of three victories for the Brazilian in the 1992 season, a year that also signaled the end of the successful collaboration between the McLaren and Honda teams.
The company responsible for the auction clarified that several image analyzes confirmed that the helmet was no longer used by Senna in the subsequent race, held in France.
