A 1985 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 owned by legendary Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna is up for grabs in RM Sotheby’s London auction, scheduled for November 1, 2025.
Senna is understood to have taken delivery of the car in October 1985, having been impressed by the model’s performance in the 1984 Race of Champions – an event featuring 20 world-class drivers including Niki Lauda, Alain Prost and Stirling Moss.
The 12-lap rain-affected race saw Lauda finish in second place behind Senna, with Carlos Reutemann crossing the line in third to complete the podium.
After securing victory, Senna decided to purchase the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 now offered by RM Sotheby’s for his personal use. Factory invoices confirm he received a preferential discount and collected the car in person from Mercedes-Benz’s Stuttgart works with compatriot Maurício Gugelmin, before driving it home to Esher, Surrey.
After clocking up 24,862 miles over two years of ownership, Senna sold the 190E in 1987 to Robin Clark, a friend of his manager Julian Jakobi. According to RM Sotheby’s, the sale coincided with Senna’s move to Monaco ahead of signing for McLaren, with whom he would win three World Championships.
The consignor acquired the 190E in 1996, and later assigned the private registration ‘B15 ENA’ in tribute to Senna. The registration remains on retention and may be purchased separately by the successful bidder.
The owner then emigrated to Australia in 2004, and the 190E has remained there ever since. It was here that the car’s engine bay was autographed by Niki Lauda at the 2016 Australian Grand Prix; he was attending the race as the non-executive chairman of the Mercedes F1 team.
Offered with 154,302 miles, the Mercedes-Benz retains its original paperwork and period items, including a Becker Mexico stereo, tool kit, fire extinguisher, trickle charger and unopened first-aid kit. It also features a factory-approved self-closing alarm and immobiliser. It could go for as much as £250,000.
Another of Senna’s personal cars – a 1991 Honda NSX – was offered in 2024 at £500,000, more than three-and-a-half times Hagerty US’s top $165,000 valuation for the model.
The Senna provenance of this 190E, meanwhile, equates to roughly ten times Hagerty US’s top estimate for a 1985 example at $29,600.
Find out more about the RM Sotheby’s London auction on November 1, 2025 here.
