Lewis Hamilton’s Iconic 2013 Mercedes F1 Car Breaks Records at Auction, Sells for $18.8 Million

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton’s 2013 Mercedes F1 race car, the W04 chassis no.4, made history at the first-ever Las Vegas Grand Prix auction by fetching an astounding $18.8 million (Rs 156.7 crore). This car marked Hamilton’s inaugural season with Mercedes, securing his first win for the team.Surpassing the pre-sale estimate of $10-15 million, the winning bid shocked spectators, revealing a hammer price of $17.1 million, with an additional 10 per cent buyer’s premium. The auction, hosted by RM Sotheby’s, took place at the Awakening Theater in the Wynn Las Vegas Hotel.

Driven by Hamilton in 14 out of 19 races during the 2013 F1 season, the Mercedes W04 played a pivotal role in Hamilton’s victory at the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix. This achievement marked Hamilton as the first British driver to win in a Mercedes since Sir Stirling Moss in 1955.Notably, chassis no. 4 is the first publicly sold Mercedes F1 car driven by Hamilton and holds the record for the highest amount paid for a modern F1 car in a public auction.

The 2.4-litre V8 engine powering the race car could redline up to 18,000 rpm, producing 740 bhp, with an additional 79 bhp from the kinetic energy recovery system (KERS). The car featured a 7-speed semi-automatic transmission developed jointly with Xtrac and introduced the front-to-rear inter-connected suspension (FRIC) for enhanced mechanical grip. It also stands as the last Mercedes F1 car with a high nose. Hamilton, after his stint with the 2013 W04, went on to secure six of his seven world titles with Mercedes, contributing significantly to the manufacturer’s eight consecutive constructors’ standings.