Mercedes AMG Petronas W04: Lewis Hamilton's Record-Breaking Car
The Mercedes AMG Petronas W04, a Formula 1 car driven by Lewis Hamilton that won several races in 2013, shattered auction records last weekend, fetching an astonishing $18.815 million at a Las Vegas auction.
In an unprecedented event, the sale price for the W04, which Hamilton drove during the 2013 season, surpassed the F2003-GA driven by Michael Schumacher in his sixth Formula 1 world championship, which was sold for $14.9 million at an auction in Switzerland last year. Hamilton's W04 is now the second most expensive Formula 1 car ever sold at auction, following the Mercedes-Benz W196R from 1954, which achieved $29.6 million at auction a decade ago.
Hamilton, who raced the W04 in 14 out of the 19 races in the 2013 season, secured victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. RM Sotheby’s had anticipated its sale price to range between $10 million and $15 million.
One significant reason for the car's staggering sale price is that it is the only modern Mercedes F1 car not owned by Mercedes, Toto Wolff, or even Lewis Hamilton himself. This indicates a near-zero chance of seeing any of the cars driven by Hamilton during his dominance from 2014 to 2020 appear at public auction. Thus, the W04 stands as the next best option.
Hamilton, the British driver who clinched the Formula 1 championship title seven times, finished fourth in the 2013 championship, achieving four additional podium finishes during that season. Furthermore, its original 2.4-liter V8 naturally aspirated engine adds to its desirability.
The value of this car raises questions about the worth of any of Hamilton's championship-winning cars. His remarkable seasons in 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2020, during which he secured 11 victories each year, suggest that if any of these cars were to be sold in the future, they would likely set new record prices.
