Legendary Ferrari driver's race helmet set to fetch thousands at Miami auction

Miami GP, sign, generic — Photo: © IMAGO

Latest F1 News

Legendary Ferrari driver's race helmet set to fetch thousands at Miami auction

Several pieces of Ferrari memorabilia will be put up for sale in Miami

Tyler Rowlinson

Friday 3 May 2024 20:00

A remarkable piece of F1 history will be put up for sale in an auction at the Miami Grand Prix.

2024 will mark the third edition of the race in the Florida city, with Max Verstappen looking to make it five wins out of six and extent his lead in the championship.

Article continues under video

The first of three races on the calendar in the US, Miami will play host to an auction, where several iconic pieces of F1 memorabilia will be available for purchase.

And one particular piece will no doubt catch all the attention: Niki Lauda’s crash helmet from his near-fatal accident in at the German Grand Prix in 1976.

Max Verstappen is eyeing his fifth win of 2024

Niki Lauda's Nurburgring crash helmet will be auctioned

Lauda crash helmet to be sold in auction

In 1976, Lauda had called for the race to be cancelled amid poor weather conditions, but the race would go ahead anyway.

On lap two, the Austrian lost control of his Ferrari and crashed heavily into the barriers, causing his car to burst into flames and his helmet was ripped off upon impact.

Lauda’s injuries almost cost him his life, but remarkably he made his recovery and not only went on to make one of the greatest F1 comebacks 42 days later with a fourth-place finish in Monza, but to win two more world championships in 1977 and 1984.

Michael Schumacher and other Ferrari legends' helmets will also be auctioned

Now, the helmet worn by Lauda during the crash will be made available in an auction on Saturday 4th May in Miami by Bonhams|Cars, set at an estimated $50,000-$60,000.

Furthermore, a percentage of the proceeds made by Lauda’s helmet are to be donated to UNICEF.

This incredible piece of F1 history is just one of several memorabilia to be put up for sale, with fellow Ferrari drivers Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, Gilles Villeneuve, Jean Alesi, Eddie Irvine and Gerhard Berger’s crash helmets also available.

Max Verstappen Ferrari Miami Grand Prix Niki Lauda