Mercedes-Benz 1954 Formula 1 Car Set to Fetch €50 Million at Auction

One of the earliest Formula 1 racing cars is heading to auction, with expectations to surpass €50 million. This sale could make even the most valuable modern F1 cars driven by legends like Michael Schumacher or Lewis Hamilton seem relatively affordable.

Historic Racing Icon Up for Auction

RM Sotheby’s will auction a rare piece of motorsport history in February 2025 – the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen. This remarkable race car was driven by two legendary figures: five-time Formula 1 world champion Juan Manuel Fangio and the legendary Sir Stirling Moss. While Moss never won a world championship, his name is etched into motorsport history.

Previously housed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, this is the first W 196 R to be made available for private ownership. Though it won’t surpass the record €135 million price tag set in 2022 for the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, this F1 car is likely to become the most expensive Formula 1 car ever sold at a public auction.

A Car That Defined Mercedes-Benz in Motorsport

The Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen was designed for the 1955 season, marking Mercedes-Benz’s triumphant return to elite motorsport. The car immediately set new benchmarks, helping Fangio claim his second world title. This specific chassis, numbered 00009/54, secured victory in Buenos Aires under Fangio’s command. Later, in the 1955 Italian Grand Prix, Stirling Moss qualified second behind Fangio but retired due to technical issues. The W 196 R boasts 11 wins in 14 races, cementing its status as a true motorsport legend. Impressively, this 1955-built machine could reach speeds of 300 km/h, an astonishing feat for its time.

At the time of its retirement in 1955, only ten complete W 196 R chassis existed, all carefully preserved by Mercedes-Benz. Four, including this historic masterpiece, were gifted to museums worldwide. This particular W 196 R had been displayed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum since 1965 before undergoing a meticulous restoration by Canepa Motorsport in 2015, returning it to its 1955 Italian Grand Prix specifications.

A Record-Breaking Auction Anticipated

With its unparalleled heritage and pristine restoration, this Mercedes-Benz W 196 R is set to spark an intense bidding war, likely setting a new record for a publicly sold Formula 1 car.

Owning this iconic piece of motorsport history is a privilege few can afford. The question remains: Can a car truly be worth €50 million? The answer will be revealed at the auction.

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