Tag Archives: Formula 1

News

Andrea Kimi Antonelli got a car that he cannot drive on public roads

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is a young Italian Formula 1 driver and a member of the Mercedes F1 team since the beginning of 2025. He joined the team as a replacement for one of the best of all time, Lewis Hamilton. His team recently loaned him a Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Coupe, but he will not be able to drive it for the next few years.

The 18-year-old is one of F1’s biggest talents, but despite recently getting his driving licence, he won’t be able to use his new car on public roads for the next three years. Under Italian law, which came into effect on December 14, 2024, new drivers cannot drive a car with more than 100 hp for the first three years.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Coupe is powered by a 4.0-L V8 biturbo engine with 630 hp (470 kW) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to all wheels via a 9-speed sequential automatic transmission.

This is Antonelli’s first Formula 1 season. He made three starts, set 1 fastest lap and managed to score 30 points, which is more than good for a rookie. Also, at the Lenovo Japanese Grand Prix, he became the youngest driver in history to lead a Formula 1 race.

Source: Mercedes

Auctions

2009 Brawn GP 001 is up for auction

Brawn GP is not a famous Formula 1 team, but it is an interesting one. The team was founded in 2009 by management led by Ross Brawn from the Honda Racing F1 team, after the Japanese team withdrew at the end of the 2008 season. It competed in just one season, and the car driven by Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, the 2009 Brawn GP 001, is up for auction.

In its short history, Brawn GP has achieved a truly remarkable result. At the end of the 2009 season, Jenson Button won the championship, while the team won the constructors’ title. This is the first of just three chassis from the Formula 1 ‘Cinderella Story’ team, and after the season it was gifted to Jenson Button.

After Honda decided to leave Formula 1, Ross Brawn did not want to shut down the team, so he reached an agreement with Mercedes, who supplied the team with engines, and decided to continue competing under a new name. In its only season, the team achieved 8 wins, 15 podiums, 5 pole positions, 4 fastest laps and 172 points.

Brawn GP 001 is powered by a Mercedes-Benz FO 108W naturally aspirated 2.4-L V8 engine delivering 750 hp @ 18,000 rpm, mated to a semi-automatic sequential transmission.

The auction will take place on May 3, 2025 at the Miami International Autodrome.

Source: Bonhams

Gallery:

2009 Brawn GP 001 is up for auction
Auctions

2013 Lotus E21 is up for auction

Formula 1 cars don’t come up for auction very often, especially those driven by world champions, and one such car is up for sale. It’s a 2013 Lotus E21 driven by Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean, with an estimated value of €350,000 – €450,000.

In his 19-year Formula 1 career, Kimi Raikkonen has achieved 21 wins and 103 podiums, driving for 5 teams (Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus, Alfa Romeo), but only one championship title. One of the cars he drove in the 2013 season is this Lotus E21, and what’s interesting about this car is that it didn’t achieve a single win.

The car was contested at five Grands Prix in the hands of Kimi Räikkönen, and a further seven with Romain Grosjean, achieving three 2nd places (Germany, Hungary, and United States) and three 3rd places (South Korea, Japan, and India). It is offered in static, non-running condition on behalf of BWT Alpine F1 Team, and it is not known if the original 2.4-liter V-8 Renault RS27-2013 engine with 750 hp at 18,000 rpm is still in the car.

This Lotus E21 has its original livery and will be auctioned on February 5, 2025 in Paris.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Gallery:

2013 Lotus E21 is up for auction