Hamilton 2010 McLaren set to raise up to $7m in world first at British GP auction

Lewis Hamilton's race-winning 2010 McLaren is set to raise up to an estimated $7million [£4.93m] when it goes under the hammer ahead of the British Grand Prix.

RM Sotheby's has described the auction as "very special" and "unique" as Hamilton's McLaren Mercedes MP4-25A, that won three grands prix that year, will be a single lot sale immediately prior to F1's first sprint qualifying race.

Sotheby's claim the auction "marks the first time any Lewis Hamilton F1 race car, let alone a grand prix-winning car has ever been offered for public sale". It is estimated to raise between $5-7m.

To add to the occasion, the auction will go live while the car is being driven around Silverstone, and in front of an expected significant crowd as fans return to the venue.

RM Sotheby's claim that "the availability of this particular example, chassis no. 1 is an unrepeatable opportunity given the model’s scarcity.

"While client confidentiality precludes knowing exactly how many cars exist in private ownership, it's believed to be only a scarce few.

"As such these examples remain highly coveted and largely in private hands, unlikely to be sold in the near future."

In what was Hamilton's fourth season in F1, he drove the car to victory in Turkey, Canada and Belgium, as well as finishing runner-up in five other races en route to finishing fourth in the drivers' standings.

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