Home F1 Bonhams puts Brawn GP F1 car up for auction in Miami GP

Bonhams puts Brawn GP F1 car up for auction in Miami GP

04/02/2025

The 2009 Brawn GP car (chassis 001/01) is up for auction during F1 Miami GP, with the 1991 Benetton (B191) also on sale.

Bonhams, Brawn GP –

Bonhams|Cars returns to the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2025 on May 3 for its Miami Auction, headlined by one of Formula 1’s most legendary machines – the groundbreaking 2009 Brawn GP Chassis 001/01. Just one of three ever constructed, chassis 001/01 made its historic debut as part of Brawn’s 1-2 finish at the 2009 season opener in Australia. This revolutionary car stunned the motorsport world with its innovative double diffuser design, ultimately leading to Brawn GP securing the 2009 Formula 1 Constructors’ and Driver’s World Championships during its one and only season. The only chassis ever to be available publicly, chassis 001/01 offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire the embodiment of one of the greatest underdog storeys in Formula 1 history.

Louis Frankel, Miami Head of Sale, Bonhams|Cars commented: “This car represents the ultimate Formula 1 fairy tale – a revolutionary design that redefined what was possible. Chassis 001/01 is a piece of motorsport history, and its offering at auction is sure to captivate collectors worldwide. We are honoured to present this unrepeatable opportunity over the Miami Grand Prix, a stage befitting its legendary status.”

At the 2009 World Championship-opening Australian Grand Prix, it was again clear that the Brawns, with their innovative aerodynamics, were the fastest cars on the grid. Rival teams questioned the diffuser’s legality, but after a terse hearing, the governing FIA officially declared it legal. Brawn’s dominance in the first half of the season saw Jenson Button secure six Grand Prix victories in seven races at the Australian, Malaysian, Bahrain, Spanish, Monaco, and Turkish Grand Prix. In chassis 01, his team mate Rubens Barrichello achieved 4 podium finishes in Australia, Spain, Monaco and Silverstone, and went on to claim two wins in chassis 03 – securing vital points in Brawn’s Constructors’ championship bid and sharing in four “whitewash” 1-2 finishes. At the conclusion of the 2009 season, the championship winning chassis (02) went to Ross Brawn while Mercedes received chassis 03. Due to a clause in his contract, chassis 01 was gifted to World Champion Jenson Button, remaining in his private collection until 2024.

In collaboration with South Florida Motorsports, the Bonhams|Cars Miami Auction will take place at the Miami International Autodrome during the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2025. Over 35 modern and contemporary supercars will be curated for auction and on display for race fans and collectors throughout the race weekend. The live auction, set for the evening of May 3, will be held directly on the racetrack, with the iconic Miami Formula 1 podium serving as a dramatic backdrop.

Auction details: https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/30996/the-miami-auction/

RM Sotheby’s, Benetton –

Driven by seven-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion Michael Schumacher to a 4th-place finish at the 1992 South African Grand Prix, his first race of his first full year in F1
Earned three points toward the 1992 Drivers’ Championship for Michael Schumacher and three points towards the Constructors’ Championship for Benetton-Ford
Subsequently driven by British Formula One driver and current F1 commentator Martin Brundle at the 1992 Mexican Grand Prix and 1992 Brazilian Grand Prix
Part of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum collection since June 2005
Shown by IMS Museum at the 2017 Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance at Ault Park
Accompanied by Benetton certificate of authenticity and a copy of Autocourse 1992

For 1992, Michael Schumacher would return for what would be his first full season in Formula One, racing under #19 and becoming the primary driver for Benetton. With Piquet’s retirement at the end of the 1991 season, his seat was filled for 1992 by British racing driver Martin Brundle coming over from the Brabham-Yamaha F1 team. Brundle would race under #20. At the start of the 1992 season the Benetton-Ford team did not have their new cars ready, forcing them to use 1991 cars for the first three races of the season. The cars were powered by a 600-horsepower, naturally aspirated, 3,498-cubic-centimeter Ford HBA5 V-8, longitudinally mounted and backed by a Benetton transverse six-speed manual gearbox. It featured a carbon fiber monocoque and front and rear double wishbone pushrod suspension. For 1992, minor upgrades were made to the suspension and bodywork, and the Pirelli tires used in 1991 were replaced with Goodyear. The 1991 cars, including chassis number B191-08, would go on to provide a very effective stopgap before the B192 was ready for the 1992 Spanish Grand Prix.

After chassis B191-08 was retired from racing, it was purchased by a Mr. Mortlock directly from Benetton around the time Renault purchased the team. The car was subsequently sold in December 2000 to a US-based private collector. In April of 2001, under the supervision of F1 expert Fred Goddard, the car was run at Donington Park in England. The car was subsequently flown from England to South Florida. It then made what would be its final track appearance in July at the Brian Redman Vintage Racing Weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Once again, the car was supervised by Goddard. It would partake in practice, but the owner decided to withdraw the car prior to the race, not wanting to risk things on a race day which had inclement weather.

In June 2005 the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum purchased chassis B191-08. It has since been proudly on display at the Museum, leaving Speedway, Indiana, only for a limited number of special occasions. In 2017, it was part of a Grand Prix car display at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto, and it was also exhibited at the Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance at Ault Park. The car was further displayed in the summer of 2024 at the Savoy Auto Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. Today chassis B191-08 is offered in a livery similar to that of the 1993 Benetton team. The appearance updates were not limited to the livery, as the car’s side pods were also updated to what appears to be the 1993 style. Just below the sideview mirrors are listed the 1993 Benetton team driver’s names, Schumacher and Patrese, and the front nose cone prominently features #6, which was Patrese’s number for the 1993 season.

This car was never used in race events for the 1993 season, and it is unknown when these changes were made; however, it may have been done for team marketing purposes in period, as prior-year cars were sometimes kept by the team and re-liveried to appear like the current year’s cars for promotion or display. Currently the car rides on O.Z. Racing wheels with Avon Tires. The cockpit features Sabelt seatbelts, a MOMO steering wheel, and a Pi System 2 dash unit. An engine and a manual gearbox are still fitted in the car, which, after a recommissioning, would allow the next owner to enjoy the visceral experience that was 1990s F1.

More details + photos: https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/mi25/lots/r0004-1991-benetton-b191-formula-1/

Auction details: https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/mi25/lots/