Ayrton Senna’s 1994 Williams FW16B-01 chassis is scheduled for auction by RM Sotheby’s in New York on November 16, 2026. The car will be part of the Contemporary Art auctions.
This specific chassis, one of two surviving FW16s, carries an estimated value between $4,000,000 and $6,000,000.
The FW16B-01 holds unique provenance, having been gifted by the Williams F1 team to Senna’s family after his fatal accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
Williams had initially promised the car to Senna following the conclusion of the 1994 season.
For approximately 30 years, the F1 car remained untouched and under the ownership of the Senna family.
It is presented in unrestored condition, with the notable addition of Senna’s personal race seat.
Chassis FW16B-01 remained completely untouched for the following 30 years, with a notable exception being the addition of Senna’s personal seat, and is today presented in totally preserved, unrestored condition.
The current owner acquired the car in 2024 through a private sale facilitated by RM Sotheby’s from the Senna family.
This upcoming event marks the first time the FW16B-01 will be offered at a public auction.
The Williams FW16, designed by Adrian Newey and Patrick Head, was powered by a Renault RS6 3.5-liter V10 engine, producing approximately 780-800 bhp.
The car featured a semi-automatic gearbox.
The FW16 was known for its challenging handling characteristics, particularly in the early part of the 1994 season.
Its design was sensitive to ride height and suffered from aerodynamic instability, exacerbated by the ban on active suspension and traction control for the 1994 regulations.
Following Senna’s death, the car underwent significant revisions, evolving into the FW16B specification.
These changes included aerodynamic updates, a longer wheelbase, and revised sidepods, aimed at improving safety and stability.
The 1994 Williams FW16 secured the Constructors’ Championship for the team, with Damon Hill and Nigel Mansell contributing seven victories.
The car achieved 13 podium finishes during the season, though none were from Senna, who retired from the two races he entered.
Hill ultimately lost the Drivers’ Championship to Michael Schumacher by a single point.
Beyond Senna, Hill, and Mansell, David Coulthard also drove the FW16 as a replacement driver.
Emmanuel Collard and Jean-Christophe Boullion conducted testing sessions with the championship-winning chassis.
Previous F1 cars driven by Senna have also commanded significant prices at auction. His 1984 Toleman TG184 sold for €1.6 million in 2018.
The 1987 Lotus 99T, featuring active suspension, fetched €3.1 million in 2019.
Senna’s 1993 McLaren MP4/8, which he drove to his final Monaco Grand Prix victory, was auctioned for €4.1 million in 2018.
For context, Michael Schumacher’s 2003 Ferrari F2003-GA holds the record for a modern F1 car, selling for $14.8 million in 2022.
Juan Manuel Fangio’s 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R remains the most expensive F1 car ever sold at auction, reaching $29.6 million in 2013.
