F1: Ayrton Senna-Signed Helmet Sold For Astounding Amount In Auction

A Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna-autographed helmet sold for an astounding amount in auction.

During his F1 career, Senna was one of the most celebrated racers in the world. As a three-time world champion, Senna has made a huge impact to the sport. And 25 years after his devastating death, the Brazilian racing legend is still making history.

Last month, auction company RM Sotheby’s hosted an online-only sale of 103 lots of Formula 1 memorabilia. In the said online event, a 1988 Ayrton Senna McLaren-Honda signed helmet was the top sale after being bought for $102,000, Journal Classic Cars reported.

The auction company revealed that the event earned a total of $728,454, with Senna’s iconic helmet being the most notable memorabilia sold.

Almost a year ago, another Senna helmet set an auction record. The Senna-worn Rheos Helmet used during 1990, the championship year for both Senna's McLaren team and himself as driver, went to sale with the team radio still installed at an official estimate of €80,000 ($89,296) to €120,000 ($133,944).

The helmet set a new auction price record for a Formula One helmet US$184,340. It became the most expensive Formula One helmet ever sold at auction. It was reported that a Senna race suit was also sold in the event for a whopping $110,372, New Atlas noted.

Senna’s helmets have made quite a buzz in the Formula One world lately. In fact, even present day F1 superstar Lewis Hamilton became a part of one of the recent tributes to Senna’s legacy.

In a post-qualifying ceremony following Hamilton’s matching of Senna's tally of F1 poles in Montreal, the English racer was given one of the Brazilian's iconic helmets in a box as a gift from the late driver's family.

It was supposed to be a historic moment in F1. However, the event caused a bit of a controversy as reports claimed that in the said presentation, the helmet given to Hamilton was an actual Senna race-worn helmet, Autosport reported.

The Senna family took the time to clear up all confusions about the helmet presentation made to Hamilton for his 65th Formula 1 pole at the Canadian Grand Prix.

According to Senna’s family, what Hamilton received during the presentation wasn’t the helmet that Senna used to wear when he achieved some of his F1 milestones. Instead, it is the one that was used for promotional purposes such as photos and marketing appearances during the 1987 season.