Ayrton Senna's 1994 Williams F1 car heads to auction with $6million estimate

A rare Williams FW16B-01 Formula 1 car, previously driven by three-time champion Ayrton Senna during his final season with the team in 1994, is set to be auctioned in New York. The car is estimated to fetch between $4 million and $6 million (£2.95 million to £4.45 million) at Sotheby's The Now & Contemporary Evening Auction.

This particular chassis was promised to Senna by Williams if their constructors' championship was won that year. Senna tragically passed away in a crash during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix while driving chassis FW16-02. Williams ultimately secured the constructors' title, with Damon Hill finishing just one point behind Michael Schumacher in the drivers' championship.

Following Senna's death, the team honored their promise and transferred FW16B-01 to Senna's family. It remained with them until 2024, when it was purchased privately through RM Sotheby's. The car has never been restored and is presented in its original, unrestored condition. As one of only two surviving FW16s that Senna drove, it is a valuable piece of motorsport history.