A genuine McLaren Formula 1 race car is ready for auction this month, as part of the RM Sotheby’s St. Moritz 2021 event.
The McLaren-Mercedes MP4-17 was used by Kimi Räikkönen and David Coulthard throughout 2002 and 2003. It scored a race win, and multiple podiums, on track.
With news that Räikkönen is set to retire from F1 at the end of this season, it could be the chance to grab a working memento of the Finnish driver.
Great expectations
Following a second-place finish in the 2001 Formula 1 World Championship, McLaren had high hopes for the 2002 season.
Created under the supervision of legendary designer Adrian Newey, the MP4-17 was shaped in McLaren’s new wind tunnel.
Powering the MP4-17 would be a Ilmor-engineered version of the Mercedes-Benz FO110M V10 engine. The naturally aspirated 3.0-litre unit produced an impressive 845 hp, and was connected to McLaren’s own seven-speed sequential gearbox.
Premium components throughout
Other key elements included the double wishbone front and rear suspension, featuring dampers developed with Penske. A combination of Hitco brake discs, and AP Racing calipers, provided the stopping power.
Hailing from an era when Formula 1 was embroiled in a tyre war, the MP4-17 wore Michelin rubber.
The finishing touch was the West McLaren Mercedes livery, first introduced by the team in 1997. It meant the stage was set for a successful 2002 season.
Swept beneath a red wave
Pre-season testing at Barcelona saw the McLaren MP4-17 give the team further hope. David Coulthard managed to set record times with the new car, raising expectations ahead of the season-opening race in Australia.
The reality of the 2002 F1 season would be less successful, however. A dominant combination of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari swept to victory, with other teams unable to get anywhere close to challenge them.
Highlights for McLaren would come with David Coulthard taking victory at the blue ribbon Monaco Grand Prix. A range of podiums would help the team to third place in the Constructors’ Championship.
A more successful second season
The car up for auction raced seven times during the 2002 season. A second place for Kimi Räikkönen at the French Grand Prix would be the best result for chassis MP4-17-06.
Following the abandonment of the radical MP4-18 for the 2003 season, McLaren converted its 2002 car to MP4-17D specification.
These upgrades brought the car more success, taking David Coulthard to victory in the 2003 Australian Grand Prix. It means whoever buys this car will secure a race-winning Formula 1 machine.
Get your Swiss bank account ready
Following the car’s final outing at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix, where it secured second, chassis MP4-17-06 has returned to how it looked in 2002.
Unlike the various show cars and display models that become available, this is an Formula 1 car that enjoyed genuine success on track.
The McLaren MP4 is set to cross the auction block in St. Moritz on 17 September. Buying a piece of history will not be cheap, with a pre-sale estimate of CHF 2,000,000 to 2,500,000 (£1,500,000 to £1,900,000).
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