While Formula 1 has seen its share of legendary drivers, few names resonate quite like Ayrton Senna.
His influence on the sport, both in terms of driving talent and legacy, continues to shape the way we view racing today. As time goes on, Ayrton’s legacy continues to be preserved through his family and the relics that now take shape as some of the most recognized and collectible pieces of memorable in sports history. From actual race-driven F1 cars to small mementos signed by the iconic Brazilian driver, the market for Ayrton Senna collectibles surges with a worldwide community of passionate fans. The team at RM Sotheby’s is proud to announce the record-breaking sale of Ayrton Senna’s 1992 McLaren-Honda Formula 1 Shoei Helmet as part of its recent Shift Online: Europe and Middle East auction event.
Overtaking the previous helmet sales record, held by Charles Leclerc’s $329k 2023 Monaco-winning Bell HP77, Ayrton’s famous yellow and green Shoei sold to the winning bidder for an astronomical £720,000 ($960,890). The helmet, featuring detailed sponsor branding, including HUGO BOSS, Nacional, and a blanked-out Marlboro logo for races with tobacco restrictions, is thought to have been used at the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa. The dark blue Honda visor strip, stone chips, and padding cut out all match images from the race weekend, tying it to one of Senna’s most remembered races off the racing line.
During the 1992 Belgian Grand Prix, Senna famously pulled over to help Érik Comas after a major crash, risking his own safety by running across the track to switch off Comas’ stalled engine. This moment has since become one of the most human and selfless acts in F1 history. For the lucky collector who paid big, this helmet is both a race-worn artifact and a tangible link to the legacy of Ayrton Senna.
Source: RM Sotheby’s