Raced by the late Ayrton Senna, this Williams-Renault FW16 Formula 1 car is expected to fetch nearly R100 million at RM Sotheby’s Now and Contemporary Evening Auction.
Beginning as a Williams-Renault FW16, this Formula 1 racecar (chassis no. FW16/01) was driven by three Formula 1 World Champions – Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, and Damon Hill – over the course of its life. Designed by engineers Adrian Newey and Patrick Head, it was given to Hill and Senna at the start of the 1994 season in Brazil. Senna attained pole position in his inaugural race.
Throughout the season, the FW16 would receive updates to keep it competitive. The latter included a raised front wing with taller end plates and shorter sidepods. Following its participation at the British Grand Prix in July 1994, chassis FW16/01 was upgraded to FW16B/01, which features a longer wheelbase, new front and rear wings, shorter sidepods, and an opened rear airbox. The racecar would then carry on to three Grands Prix and secure the Constructors Championship for Williams-Renault.
A Renault Sport RS6 engine powers this iconic Formula 1 car. The 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V10 produces approximately 625 kW…at a howling 14 300 r/min! Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a transversely mounted semi-automatic six-speed sequential gearbox.
Chassis FW16B/01 was gifted to the Senna family. It remained untouched and preserved for 30 years until it was bought by the current owner in 2024 through RM Sotheby’s. Now, this FW16 will go up for auction on 16 November 2026 at the auction house’s ‘Now and Contemporary Evening Auction’. It is expected to fetch up to $6 million, or R99 116 580 at the current Rand-Dollar exchange rate.
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