When Lewis Hamilton left McLaren for Mercedes-AMG Petronas ahead of the 2013 Formula One season, it was widely considered a gamble. The team had talent and resources but hadn’t yet reached the dominant form that would define the sport for the following decade. Hamilton’s first year in silver would test that bet — and the car he used to pass it is now heading to auction with a pre-sale estimate of $10 million to $15 million.
What Makes Chassis W04 Significant
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas W04 is not just any car from Hamilton’s career. It’s the specific chassis he was driving when he took his first victory wearing the silver star — a win at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2013. Over the course of that season, Hamilton piloted this same car in 14 of the 19 rounds, making it one of the most consistent presences in his debut Mercedes campaign.
That year also marked a significant milestone for the team itself: a second-place finish in the Constructor’s Championship, a result that signaled the program was becoming a genuine title contender. In retrospect, 2013 reads as the last year before Mercedes’ period of total domination began.
A Naturally Aspirated V8 — One of the Last of Its Kind
From a mechanical standpoint, the W04 carries an additional distinction. It’s powered by a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter V8, one of the final generations of that engine format before the FIA mandated a switch to turbocharged V6 hybrid power units for the 2014 season. For enthusiasts who prefer the high-revving, unfiltered sound of naturally aspirated F1 engines, the W04 represents the end of an era.
The Auction and What to Expect
RM Sotheby’s will offer chassis W04 at its Las Vegas event on Friday, November 17. The auction house has set a published estimate of $10,000,000 to $15,000,000, reflecting both the car’s historical significance and the scarcity of Hamilton-era Mercedes racecars on the open market. According to RM Sotheby’s, no other car from Hamilton’s tenure with the team is expected to appear at public auction in the near future.
For F1 collectors, this is one of the most consequential lots to surface in years. Whether the final hammer price lands within estimate or surpasses it will say something meaningful about where the market for driven-by championship-caliber racecars currently sits.
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