Senna's 1992 race-worn helmet surges to £260,000 at Silverstone auction, tripling its estimate

A race-worn Ayrton Senna helmet from the 1992 Formula 1 season has surged to £260,000 at BUDDS Auctions, smashing its pre-sale estimate of £80,000–£120,000 after a £100,000 spike in bidding over the British Grand Prix weekend. The live auction is hosted at the Silverstone Museum on 7 July, with the helmet listed as Lot 361.

The Shoei helmet carries an official McLaren Certificate of Authenticity and has been extensively photo-matched to confirm it was not used at the French Grand Prix. According to the auction house, Senna wore it specifically during the 1992 British, German, and Hungarian Grands Prix — the last of which he won.

The 1992 German Grand Prix at Hockenheim holds a particular footnote in the sport’s history: it was the only occasion Senna shared a podium with both Michael Schumacher and Nigel Mansell. At the time, Senna was the reigning world champion, competing in the final season of the Honda-McLaren partnership before the team switched to Ford power in 1993.

The auction is not exclusively Senna memorabilia. A special collection consigned by 1992 world champion Mansell is also on offer, with proceeds expected to exceed £40,000 — all of which will be donated to UK Youth. Mansell’s lots include a signed Williams replica children’s race suit and a signed 1987 period helmet and gloves from the Nigel Mansell Museum.

Other notable items include a Charles Leclerc 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend special-design race suit, Stirling Moss-signed replica gloves, and a Mansell-signed 1994 Williams-Renault ‘Last Win’ replica gloves. The broader sale also features used race gloves, signed scale helmets, photographs, and model cars.