Two-time Formula 1 world champion and resident of the Principality Mika Häkkinen is parting ways with his exceedingly rare McLaren P1 test car, which is set to go under the hammer at Bonhams’ ‘Les Grandes Marques à Monaco’ auction on Friday, May 10.
McLaren built 375 P1 road cars, but only seven ‘Validation Prototype’ P1’s, of which this car is example number three, resulting in the rather straightforward ‘VP3’ name. This will be the only VP P1 to ever go on auction.
Further contributing to this very special lot’s appeal is Häkkinen’s offer of a private driving and racing session with the former F1 driver at a location of the lucky buyer’s choice.
A lot can be learned from the ‘Flying Finn’, who won the 1998 and 1999 world titles behind the wheel of a McLaren-Mercedes. Häkkinen took part in 130 Grand Prix for the McLaren team before he retired after the 2001 season, making Mika somewhat synonymous with the brand.
The VP3 was the first McLaren that Häkkinen ever owned, and served as the lead car in the P1 project’s durability testing program. A special booklet created by McLaren to outline the importance of this car as well as testing notes is included in the sale.
The pre-auction estimate price for the VP3 P1, including the Häkkinen driving lesson, stands between 1.4 and 1.8 million euros. That is roughly the current market price of a regular P1, so if the estimate is to be believed then prospective buyer’s may have a bargain on their hands.
See the lot on the Bonham’s website here.
All images courtesy of Bonhams
